Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed Page: 8 of 119
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[ 341 ] 8
now tendered be rejected, Texas will seek for the friendship of others. In
contemplating such a cotitingency, it cannot be overlooked that the United
States are already almost surrounded by the possessions of European Powers.
The Canadas, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the islands in the
American seas, with Texas, trammelled by treaties of alliance or of a commercial
character, differing in policy from that of the United States, would
*complete the circle. Texas voluntarily steps forth, upon terms of perfect
honor and good faith to all nations, to ask to be annexed to the Union. As
an independent sovereignty, her right to do this is unquestionable. In
doing so, she gives no cause of umbrage to any other Power; her people
desire it, and there is no slavish transfer of her sovereignty and independence.
She has for eight years maintained her independence against
all efforts to subdue her. She has been recognised as independent by
many of the most prominent of the family of nations, and that recognition,
so far as tley are concerned, places her in a position, without giving any
just cause of umbrage to them, to surrender her sovereignty at her own
will and pleasure. The United States, actuated evermore by a spirit of
justice, has.desired, by the stipulations of the treaty, to render justice to all.
They have made provision for the payment of the public debt of Texas.
We look to her ample and fertile domain as the certain means of accomplishing
this; but this is a matter between the United States and Texas, and
with which other Governments have nothing to do. Our right to receive
the rich grant tendered by Texas is perfect; and this Government should
not, having due respect either to its own honor or its own interests, permit
its course of policy to be interrupted by the interference of other Powers,
even if such interference was threatened. The question is one purely
American. In the acquisit-ion, while we abstain most carefully from all
that could interrupt the public peace, we claim the right to exercise a due
regard to our own. This Government cannot, consistently with its honor,
permit any such interference. With equal if not greater propriety might
the United States demand of other Goverinments to surrender their numerous
and valuable acquisitions, made in past time, at numberless places on
the surface of the globe, whereby they lhave added to their power and enlarged
their resources.
To Mexico, the Executive is disposed to pursue a course conciliatory in its
character, and at the same time to render her the most ample justice, by conventions
and stipllations not inconsistent with the rights and dignity of the
Government. It is actuated by no spirit of unjust aggrandizement, but
looks only to its own security. It has made known to Mexico, at several
periods, its extreme anxiety to witness the termination of hostilities be-tween
that country and Texas. Its wisJies, however, have been entirely
disregarded. It has ever been ready to urge an adjustment of the dispute
upon terms mutually advantageous to both. It will be ready at all times
to hear and discuss any claims Mexico may think she has on the justice of
the United States, and to adjust any that may be deemed to be so on the
most liberal terms. There is no desire on the part of the Executive to
wound her pride, or affect injuriously her interest; but, at the same time,
it cannot compromit by any delay in its action the essential ititerests of the
United States. Mexico has no right to ask or expect this of us-we deal
rightfully with Texas as an independent Power. The war which has been
waged for eight years has resulted only in the conviction, with all others
than herself, that Texas cannot be reconquered. I cannot but repeat the
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United States. Congress. Senate. Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed, book, 1844; [Washington]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2363/m1/8/?rotate=270: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .