The War in Texas; A Review of Facts and Circumstances, showing that this contest is a Crusade Against Mexico, set on foot by Slaveholders, Land Speculators, &c. In Order to Re-Establish, Extend, and Perpetuate the System of Slavery and the Slave Trade. Page: 37 of 64
64 p. : ill., map ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
J. Q. ADAMS' SPEECH IN CONGRESS.-MEXICAN COMMENTS. 37
But, sir, suppose you should annex Texas to these At this time circumstances have changed-popuTJnited
States, another vear would not pass before lar revolutions both in France and Great Britain
you would have to engage in a war for the conquiest have perhaps curbed the spirit of conquest in Great
of the Island of Cuba. What is now the condition Britaih, and France may have enough to do to govern
of the Island ?-Still under the nominal protection her kingdom of Algiers. But Spain is again conof
Spain,-consuming her own vitals in a civi, war vulsed with a civil war for ttle succession to her
for the succession of the crown. Do you expect, crown; she has irretrievably lost all her colonies on
that whatever may be the issue of that war, she can both continents of America. It is impossible that
retain even the nominal possession of Cuba ? After I she shoutld hold much longer a shadow of dominion
having lost all her continental colonies in North and over the islands of Ctiba and Porto Rico-nor can
South America, Cuba will stand in need of more those islands, in their present condition, form indeefficient
protection: and above all, the protection of pendent nations, capable of protecting themselves.
a naval power. Suppose that naval power should be They must for aoes remain at the mercy of Great
Great Britain. There is Cuba at your very door; Britain or of these United States, or of both; Great
and if you spread 3yourself along a naked coast, from Britain is even now about to interfere in this war for
the Sabine to the Rio Bravo, what will be your rela- the Spainish succession. If by the utter imbecility of
tive position towards Great Britain, with not only the Mexican confederacy this revolt of Texas should
Jamaica, but Cuba, and Porto Rico in her hands, and lead immediately to its separation from that Repuba'jolition
for the motto to her union cross of St. lic, and its annexation to the United States, I believe
George and St. Andrew ? Mr. Chairman, do you it impossible that Great Britain should look on while
think I am treading on fantastic grounds ? Let me this operation is performing with indifference. She
tell you a piece of history, not far remote. Sir, will see that it must shake her own whole colonial
many years have not passed away since an internal power on this continent, in the Gulf of Mexico, and
revolution in Spain subjected that country and her in the Cfrribbean seas, like an earthquake-she will
king tfor a short time to the momentary government see, too, that it endangers her own abolition of slaveot
the Cortes. 'Ihat revolution was followed by ry in her own colonies. A war for the restoration
another, by which, under the auspices of a French of slavery where it has been abolished, if successful
army witli the Duke d'Angouleme at their liead, in Texas, mtiust extend over all tlexico; and the exFerdinand
the Vll. was restored to a despotic throne; ample will threaten her with imminent danger of a
Cuba had followed the fortutnes of the Cortes when war of colors in her own islands. She will take
they were crowined with victory; and when the coun- possession of Cuba and of Porto Rico, by cession
ter revolution came, the inhabitants of the island, from Spain or by the batteries from her wooden
uncertain what was to be their destination, were for walls; and if you ask her by what authority she has
some time in great perplexity what to do for them- done it, she will ask you, in return, by what authority
selves. Two considerable parties arose in the island, you have extended your sea coast from the Sabine to
one of which was for placing it under the protection the Rio Bravo. She will ask you a question more
of Great Britain, and another was for annexing it to perplexing, namely-by what authority you, with
the confederation of these United States. By one freedom, independence, and democracy upon your
of these parties I have reason to believe that over- lips, are waging a war of extermination to forge new
tures were made to the Government of Great Britain. manacles and fetters, instead of those which are fellBy
the other Iknovw that overtures were made to the ing from the hands and feet of man. She will carry
Government of the United States. And I further emancipation and abolition with her in every fold of
know that secret, though irresponsible assurances her flag-while your stars, as they increase in numwere
communicated to the then President of the bers, will be overcast with the murky vapors of
United States, as coming fromn the French Govern- oppression, and the only portion of your banners
ment, that they were secretly infor:ned that the Bri- visible to the eye, will be the blood-stained stripes of
tish Government had determined to take possession the task master"
of Cuba. Whether similar overtures were made to
France herself, I do not undertake to say-but that Snce the present nsurrection commnced,
AMr. George Canning, then the British Secretary of the excitement against our citizens in Mexico
State for f'oreign Affairs, was under no inconsidera- has risen, of course, to a higher pitch than
ble alarm, lest under the pupilage of the Duke d'An- ever. The foregoing speech delivered by Mr.
gouleme, Ferdinand the VIl. might commit to the Adams, an(d translated into the Spanish lallcommander
of a l rench naval squadron the custody guage, as before stated, was published in that
of the Mo;o Castle, is a circumstance also well h the f
known to me; It happened that just about that time contry, wth the following inrouctoy 'ea
French squadron of considerable force was fitted marks:out,
and'received saiiing orders for the West Indies, "The discourse annexed, which was delivered in
withost formal communication of the fact to the Bri- the House of Representatives of the United States, by
tish Government-and that as soon as it was made the Ex-President, John Quincy Adams, is a Document
known to him, he gave orders to the British Ambas- which, in the actual state of things, ought to attract
sador at Paris to demand, in the most peremptory the attention of all reflecting meni; not absolutely as
tone, what was the destination of that squadron, and a specimen of oratory, but as that of the effusions of
a spec.al and positive disclaimer that it was inten- a sab!imnated soul, which soars above the corruption
ded even to visit the Havana; and this was made the of tlie times, dares to promulgate the truth in its
occasion of mutual explanations, by which Great purity, and plead in defence (of the principles of
Britain, France, and the United States, not by the Justice, so scandalously trampled upon in his country
formal solemnity of a treaty, but by the implied en- with respect to the question relating to Texas.
gagement of mutual assurances of intention, gave The speculators in Land, at New Orleans and New
pledges of honor to each other, that neither of them York, have conceived the project of enriching themshould
in the then condition of the island take it, or selves, by wresting from Mexico the territory of
the Moro Castle, as its citadel, from the possession of 'Texas; and as it became requisite to give an air of
Spain. Thlis engagement was on all sides faithfully honesty to their base intentions, they have, with a
performed-but, without it, who doubts that from plausible pretext, fastened upon the much abused epithat
day to this either of the three Powers might thet of Liberty.-But there is another design, which
have taken the island and held it in undisputed pos- threatens the political existence of the Hispanosession?
American Nations,-especially of Central America,
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
The War in Texas; A Review of Facts and Circumstances, showing that this contest is a Crusade Against Mexico, set on foot by Slaveholders, Land Speculators, &c. In Order to Re-Establish, Extend, and Perpetuate the System of Slavery and the Slave Trade. (Book)
Opinion piece describing the history and reasons for the Texas Revolution, including the position that it was intended to support slavery in Texas.
Relationship to this item: (Has Format)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Lundy, Benjamin, 1789-1839. The War in Texas; A Review of Facts and Circumstances, showing that this contest is a Crusade Against Mexico, set on foot by Slaveholders, Land Speculators, &c. In Order to Re-Establish, Extend, and Perpetuate the System of Slavery and the Slave Trade., book, 1837; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2414/m1/37/?rotate=90: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.