11
laid the foundation of a treaty with Spain for the cession of the Floridas and the
settlement of the boundary of Louisiana, fixing the western limit of the latter at
Rio Grande, agreeably to the understanding of France; that he had written
home to our government for powers to complete and sign this negotiation; but
that, instead of receiving such authority, the negotiation was taken out of his
hands and transferred to Washington, and a new treaty was there concluded by
which the Sabine, and not the Rio Grande, was recognized and established as
the boundary of Louisiana.
"Finding that these statements were true and that our Government did really give up that important territory, when it was at its option to retain it, I was filled with astonishment. The right of the territory was obtained from France; Spain stood ready to acknowledge it to the Rio Grande ; and yet the authority asked by our minister to insert the true boundary was not only withheld, but, in lieu of it, a limit was adopted which stripped us of the whole of the vast coimtry lying be- tween the two rivers.
"On such a subject, I thouglit, with the ancient Romans, that it was right never to cede any laud or boundary of the repul)lic, but always to add to it by honorable treaty, thus extending the area of freedom; and it was in accordance with this feeling that I gave our minister in Mexico instructions to enter upon a negotiation for the retrocession of Texas to the United States.
"This negotiation failed; and I shall ever regret it as a misfortune both to Mexico and the United States. Mr. Gilmer's letter presents many of the con- siderations which, in my judgment, rendered the step necessary to the peace and harmony of the two countries; but the point in it, at that time, which most strongly impelled me to the course I pursued, was the injustice done to us by the surrender of the territory, when it was obvious that it could have been retained, without increasing the consideration afterward given for the Floridas. I could not but feel that the surrender of so vast and important a territory was attributed to an erroneous estimate of the tendency of our institutions, in which there was mingled somewhat of jealousy as to the rising greatness of the South and West,
"But I forbear to dwell on this part of the history of this question. It is past, and cannot now be undone. We can now only look at it as one of annexation, if Texas presents it to us ; and, if she does, I do not hesitate to say that the welfare and happiness of our Union requires that it should be accepted.
"If. in a military point of view alone, the question be examined, it will be found to be most important to the United States to be in possession of the ter- ritory.
"Great Britain has already made treaties with Texas; and we know that far- seeing nation never omits a circumstance, in her extensive intercourse with the world, which can be turned to account in increasing her military resources. May she not enter into an alliance with Texas? And, reserving, as she doubtless ivill, the noo-fhivestern boundary question as the cause of -war with us whenever sJie. chooses to declare it, let us suppose that, as an ally with Tesas, we are to fight her? Preparatory to such a movement, she sends her 20,000 or 30,000 men to Texas; organizes them on the Sabine, where supplies and arms can be concen- trated before we have even notice of her intentions; makes a lodgment on the Mississippi ; excites the negroes to insurrection ; the lower country falls, and with it New Orleans ; and a servile war rages through the whole South and West.
