J. II. REID,

 P. D. LIPSC0MB, J. B. T. THORNTON, n GDF1I1

Hon. LEVI WooDBURY.
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Hon LEVI NooDBURY. Committee.

 WASHINGTON, May II. fS4l.

 GENTLEMEN-Y our letter of the 9th inst. has just been received, stating that public meeting has been held in Prince William county, Virginia, at which a resolution was passed to ascertain my .'vieWs ill regard to the annexation of Texas" As the meeting Is to convene again on the 18th inst you re- quest an immediate answer OH the subject, for the purpose of laying 1t before those who may assemble on that occasion

 Accordingly, though such an answer must be very imperfect, from want of time, and though my general impressions in relation to thls subject were communicated to the pub lie in December last, yet, as the state of the question may appear to some to have mate rlally altered since, and you desire further explanations, hasten to give a sketch of my views on the case, as 1t now stands before the community.

 By a. careful examination of facts and prin- 1 ciples, have formed a conscientious conyic- ton that the immediate annexation of Texas to the United States is proper. The reasons which have had most weight i'll bringing me 10 this conclusion are as follows:

 Because the territory of Texas lies so near the great monarch of the western waters, and especially the mouth of the Mississippi on the Gulf of Mexico, and the emporium of western commerce at New Orleans, as to be very important, if not vital to their security, in the event of war And it's possession by us would at all times contribute essentially to protect an exposed frontier from the torch and scalping knife of Indian outrage, enabling Us much more elIectually to hold i'll check the aborginals near, whether within or with out our present boundaries, whenever they may be dup under that foreign influence which has too often heretofore stimulated that ierocious race to drench our borders i'll blood.

 Because the obligation on us thus to pro- cure security and tranquility to the industry and trade of the whole Mississippi valley, embracing over million of square miles, and nine millions of people, IS national and notseetional, and deeply involves the interests as well as the affections and happiness of their kindred Ill the East, and every other portion of our fratenal Government. It is an obligation stronger and more solemn, if possible, than that was half century ago to procure the freedom of their trade through the free navigation of the Mississippi river an object which, after our independence was achieved, long agitated the anxious councils of the fathers of the Revolution; and, con- siderng its momentous importance, not only then, but in the growing future, was at last cheaply purchased at the expense of millions by buying Louisiana, and afterwards eheapiy defended by the sacrifice of life and treasure on the plains of New Orleans.

 Because the annexation would secure the West and Southwest against other disturbing causes: such as collisions in the navigation of some of our rivers, whose sources are now in possession of foreign power, and the want of large natural and striking barrier and boundary on the Southwest, between us and different governments, as well as differ ent, if not hostile races: and annoying expo sure to foreign aggressions on the property and domestic institutions of the South and Southwest; which property and institutions, however different from those in other sec tions, are such as they came into the Union with, and for half century have remained with, under its sacred guaranties; and till changed by themselves, or the Union IS dis solved, are entitled to, and especially, in the authority given by Congress in 1911, for the forcible occupation of Florida, received the same security as the institutions and property of the North.

 Because the annexation of Texas, in its influence on all the great branches of indus try, is not merely Western or Southern question, but one deeply interesting to every

 

 promotes that industry by opening to agrl- culture more fertile soils and genial climates, or byforming wider home market formanu- factures, or by lurnishSg new articles of commerce, and new bays and rivers for the free navigation of Western steamers, as well as coasting and freighting vessels from the East.

 And, finally, becauss by this annexation we should not only restore to the Union a territory thus desirable, but one bought in. 1903 by our own treasure-defended in 1915 by our own arms-and though ceded away in 1919, yet its consent was not asked to the measure, and therefore it seems still entitled, by the express obligation of the original trea- ty, to be admitted into the Union, and to en- iov all it's privileges and rights A territory which has never united with any othef coun- try, except as part of an independent State in the Confederacy of Mexico; and when that Confederacy was dissolved by the op- pressions and usurpatons of Santa Anna, re- asserted it's rights as all independent govern ment, and has since successfully maintained those rights, sswith the lives, the fortunes, and the sacred honor," of its people; and, by the common origin of most of them with our selves, no less than their common education, religion, form of government, and soelal ln- stitutions, as well as Saxon blood, beside their contiguous residence and claims under former treaties, they are better suited to unite with us than any.other power. For reasons like these, as they are now deslrous ol an nexation, which delays may endanger, Ii not defeat through disappointment and foreign interference, it ought, ill my opinion, to be | I ' tl 10 p1aip