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babe tnat Sne mas agreed upon temporary SuS-


pension Of hostilities but if that has been done,


I presume it is with the purpose, upon the termi-


nation of the armistice, of renewing the war and


enforcing her rights, as she considers them.


! This narrative shows the present actual condI-
| tion of Texas, so far as have information about


it. If it be correct, Mexico has not abandon


cd, but perseyeres in the assertion of her rights
Lby actual force of arms, which if suspended, are


intended to be renewed. Under these circumstan-
ces, if the Government of the United States were


to acquire Texas, it would acquire along with il


all the membranes which Texas is under, and


among them actual or suspended war between


Mexico and Texas Of that consequence there


cannot be a doubt Annexation and war with


Mexico are identical. Now, for one, | certain


ly am not willing to involve this country in a for


eign war for the object Of acquiring Texas


know there are those who regard such war with


indifference and as rifing affair, on account OF


the weakness Of Mexico, and her inability to in


fct serious injury upon this country. But do


not look upon it thus lightly regard all wars


as great calamities, to be avoided if possible,


and honorable peace the wisest and trucst poll


cy of this country. What the United States most


need are union, peace, and patience. Nor do l
| think that the weakness of Power should form a


motive, in any case, for inducing US 10 engage IN
or to depreciate the evils of war. Honor and


good faith and justice are equally due from this


country towards the weak as well the strong.
And if an act Of injustice were to be perpetrated
towards any Power, it would be more compatible


with the dignity of the nation, and, in my iudg-


ment less dishonorable, toinflict it upon po
ful instead Of a weak foreign nation. But are we
perfectly sure that we should be free from injury
in state of war with Mexco2 Have we any


security that countless numbers Of foreign vessels


under the authority and flag of Mexico, would


not prey upon our defenceless commerce in the


Mexican gulf on the Pacific ocean, and on


every other sea and oeean2 What commerce.


on the other hand, docs Mexico off;,r, as an n-
demnity for our losses, to the gallantry and
enterprise Of our countrymen This view Of
the subject supposcs that the war would be con-
fined to the United States and Mexico as the
only belligerents But have any certain guar
anty that Mexico would obtain no allies among
The great European Powers ? Suppose any such
Powers, jealous Of our increasing greatness, and
disposed to check our growth and cripple US, were
to take part in behalf of Mexico IN the war, how
would the different belligerents present themselves
to ChriStcnaom and the enlightened world2 We
have been seriously charged with an inordInae
spirit of territorial aggrandizsment and without
admitting the justice of the charge, it must be
OWNED that we have made vast acquisitions OTTER
ritory within the last forty years. Suppose Great
Britain and France, or one of them, were to take
part with Mexico, and by a manifesto, were to
proclaim that their objects were 10 assist a weak
and pless ally to check the spirit of encroach-
ment and ambition of an already overgrown Re
public, seeking sill further acquisitions of terrific
ry, to maintain the independence of Texas, dis
connected with the United States, and TO prevent
the further propagation of slavery from the Uni
ted States, what would be the effect of such ale
cations upon the judgment of an impartial and
enlightened word2


Assuming that the annexation Of Texas IS
war with Mexico, is it competent to the treaty
making power to plunge this country INTO war.
not ouly without the concurrence Of but without
deigning to consult Congress, to which, by the
Constitution, belongs exclusively the power of
WARP


have hitherto considered the question upon the |
suppoSition that the annexation is attempted with
out the assent of Mexico If she yields her con-
SENT that would materially affect the foreign as
pect of The question: if it did not remove all for
eign difficulties. On the assumption of that as
SENT the question would be confined to the domes-
tic considerations which belong to it, embracing
the terms and conditions upon which annexation !
is proposed do not think that Texas ought to
be received into the Union, as an integral part of
it. in decided opposition to tho wishes of consid-
erable and respectable portion of the Confedera-
~. | think it far more wise and important to
compose and harmonic the present Confedcracy,
10 IL hO" CAStSi new element
of discord and distraction into it. In my humble
opinion, it should be the constant and earnest en-
ieavor OF American statesmen to eradicate prtiu-
iices, to cultivate and foster concord and to pro-
luce general contcntmcnt among all parts of our
Confederacy. And true wisdom, it seems to me-
points to the duty of rendering its present members
happy, prosperous, and satisfied with each other,
ather than to attempt TO introduce alien members
against the common consent and with the certain
y of deep dissatisfaction. Mr.. Jefferson express
I'd the opinion and others believed, that tnever was
n the contemplation of the trainers of the Constitu-
ion to add foreign territory to the Confcderacy,
'ut of which new States were to be formed. The
acquisitions of Louisiana and Florida nav be de-
ended upon the peculiar ground Of the relation
n which they stood to the States of the Union.
After they were admitted, we might well pause
/ while, people, our vast wastes develope our re-
sources, prepare the means of defending what we
possess, and augment our strength, power, and
greatness. If hereafter further territory should
De wanted for an increased population, we need
entertain no apprehensions but that il will be ac-
lulred by means, it is to be hoped, fair, honora-
Die, and constitutional.


1t is useless to disguise that there are those who
spouse and those who oppose the annexation of
Texas upon the ground Of the influence which it
would exert, in the balance Of political power be-
ween two great sections of the Union. con-
eIve that no motive for the acquisition of foreign
errItory would be more unfortunate, or pregnant
With more fatal consequences than that of obtain