The New York Herald Newspaper, April 29, 1844, Page 2

Aprit 22, 1844. READ THE FIRST AND SECOND TIMES, RE- FERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, 4ND ORDERED TO BE PRINTED IN CONFIDENCE FOR THE USE OF THE SENATE. A TREATY OF ANNEXATION CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, At Washington, The Twelfth Day of April, 1844, The people of Texas having, at the time ot adopt- ang their Cunstitution, expressed, by an almost unanimous vote, their desire to be incorporated into the Union of the United States, and being still desirous of the same with equeraneainally ie order to provide more effectually for their security and rity ; and the United States, actuated ‘solely by the desire to add to their own security and pros- perity, and to meet the wishes of the Government and people of Texas, have determined to accom- plish, by treaty, objects so important to their mutu- land permanent welfare. j For that purpose, the President of the United States has given full powers to John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State of the United States, and the President of the Republic of Texas hus appointed, with like powers, Isaac Van Zandt and J Pinck- ney Henderson, citizens of the said Republic, and the said Plenipotentiaries, after exchauging their full powers, have agreed on and concluded the tol- lowing articles :— 3 pales Arr. I. The Kepublic of Texas, acting in con- formity with the wishes of the people and every department of its Government, cedes to theUnited States all its territories, to be held by them in full rty and sovereigaty, and to be annexed to the said United States as one of their Territories, sub- ject to the same constitutional provisions with their other Territories. This cession includes all public lots and squares, vacant lands, mines, miner- als, ealt lakes and eprings, public edifices, fortifi- ations, barracks, ports and harbors, navy and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms, armamunts and accoutrements, archives and public documents, public funds, debts, taxes and dues unpaid at the time of the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty. je IT. The citizens of Texas shall be incorpo- rated into the Union of the United States, main- tained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty and property, and admitted, as soon as may consistent with the principles of the Federal Constitution, to the enjoyment of all the rights, privileges, and immunities of citizens of the Unite ates. tates. Arr. III. All titles and claims to real estate, which are valid under the laws of Texas, shall be held to be so by the United States; and measures shall be adopted tor the speedy adjudication of all unsettied claims to lund, and patentsshall be grant- ed to those found to be valid. Art. [V. The public lands hereby ceded shall be subject to the-laws regulating the public .ands in the other Territories of the United States, as far as they may be applicable; subject, however, to such alterations and changesas Congress may fiom time to time think proper to make. It is understood between the parties, that, ifin consequence of the mode in which lands hava been surveyed in Texas, or from previous grants or Tucations, the sixteenth section cannot be applied for the purpose of educa- tion, Congress shall make equal provision by grant of landelsewhere. And it 18 also further under- stood, that, hereafter, the books, papers, and docu- ments of the General Land Office of Texas shall be deposited and k»pt_at such place in Texae as the Congress of the United States shall direct. Art V. The United States assume and agree to pay the public debt and liabilities of Texas, how- ever created, for which the faith or credit of her Government may be bound at the time of the ex- change of the ratifications of this treaty; which debts and liabilities are estimated not to exceed, in the whole, ten millions of dollars, to be ascer- tained and paid in the manner hereinafter stated. The payment of the sum of three hundred and fifty thousind dollars shall be made at the ‘Ireasu- HA of the United States, within ninety days after e exchange ot the ratifications of this treaty, as follows: Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Frederick Dawson, of Baltimore, or his executors, on the delivery of that amount’ of ten per cent bonds ot Texas; one hundred thousand dollars, it 80 much be required, in the redemption of the ex- ehequer bills which may be in circulation at the time of the ¢xchange of the ratifications of this treaty. For the payment of the remainder of the debts and liabilities of Texas, which, together with the amount already mpecilieds shall not exceed ten millions of dollars, the public lands herein ceded, and the nett revenue from the same, are hereby pledged f Art. VI. In order to ascertain the full amount of the debts and liabilities herein assumed, and the le- paliyy and validity thereof, four commiasioners shall ve appoiated by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall meet at Washington, Texas, within the riod of six mouths after the exchange of the rati- ications of this treaty, and may continue in session not exceeding twelve months, unless the Congress of the United Siete a raee eta the time. They shall take an oath for the taithful discharge of their duties, and that they are not directly or indirectly interested io said claims at the time, and will not be during their continuance in office ; and the said oath shall be recorded with their proceedings. In ease of the death, sickness, or resignation of any of the commis=ioners, his or their place or places may be supplied by the appointment as aforesaid, or by the President of the United States, during the re- eess of the Senate. They, or a majority of them, shail be authorized, under such regulations as the Congress of the United States may preseribe, to hear, exaraine, and decide on all questions touch- ing the legality and validity of said claims, and all, when a claim is allowed, issue a certificate to the claimant, stating the amonat, distinguishin; principal from interest. The certificates so issue shall be numbered, and entry made of the number, the name of the person to whom issued, and the amount, in a book to be kept for that purpose. They shall transmit the records of their proveed- angs and the book in which the certificates are en- tered, with the vouchers and documents produced before them, relative to the clums allowed or, re- cted, to the Treasury Department of the United rates, to be deposited therein; and the Secretary of the Treasury shall, as svon as practicable after the receipt of the sume, ascertain the aggregate amount of the debts and linbilities allowed; and if the same, when added to the amount to be paid to Frederick Dawson and the sum which may be paid in the redemption of the exchequer bills, shall not exceed the estimated sum of ten millions of dol- lars, he shall, on the presentation ot a certificate of the commissioners, tssur, at the option of the holder, a new certificate forthe amount, distin- gushing principal from interest, and payable to him « ot order, out cf the net proceeds of the public lands hereby ceded, or stock of the United States, for the amount allowed, including principal and tute- rest, and bearing an interest of three per cent. per anoum from the date thereof; which stock, in ad- dition to being made payable out of the net jro ceeds of the public lands hereby ceded, shall alxo be receivable in payment for the same. In case the amount of the debts and liabilities allowed, with the sums atoresaid to be paid to Frederick id which may bep id in the redemption r bills, shall exceed the said sum ot ten millions of dollars, the said Sreretary, before issuing 4 new certificate, or stuck, as the case may -be, shall make in each case such proportionable and rateable reduction on its amount as to reduce the aggregate to the said sum of ten millions of dollars, and he shall have power to make ull need- fal rules aud regulations necessary to carry into effect the powers hereby vested in him. Art VIC. Until farther provision -nall be made, the liws of Texas, as now existing, sh sll remiin in force, and all executive and judicial officers of Texas, except the President, Vice President, and heads of departments, shall retain. their " with all power and authority potenti th and the courts of justice shail remain in all re- spects as now established and organized. Aut. VIEL lnmediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, the Presid: nt of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a com.nissioner, who shall proceed to Texas and receive the transfer of the territory thereof, and all the achives and pub- lic property, and other things herein conveyed, in the name of the United States. He shall exercise all executive anthority in said territory necessary to the proper execution of the saws, until otherwise provided. Ant 1X. The present treaty shall be ratified by the contracting parties, and the ratific ions ex- changed at the city of Washingron, in six months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible, a | Witness Whereol, we, the undersigned, plenipo- tentiaries of the United States of America and of the Repuolic of Texas, have signed by virtue of our powers, the At treaty of annexation, and have herenaro affixed onr seals, respectively bs Done at Washington, the twelfth d ay of April, eighteen hundred and torty-four F J. C. CALHOUN, [Seal } ISAAC VAN ZANDT, yeas | DERSON. [seat } MESSAGE. J. PINCKNEY HEN To Tw SkxaTE OF its Unite “Tater: J transmit herewitn, for your ap,toval and ratifi IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, } cation, a weaty, w! Lave caved to be negotia- » which ted bet ween the United States and yng whereby the latter, oa the conditions therein eet forth, ha» transferred and conveyed all tenght«f seperate and independent sovereignty aad jurisdictiun te the Uni ted States, In taking 80 important a etep, I have teen influe by what appeared to me to be the mest controlling considerations of public policy aud the general good ; and in having accomplihed 11, should it meet with your spproval, the governmynt wil have suceeeded tu re-cla territery which formerly constituted a portios it is confidently believed, of its domain, under treaty of cession of 1898, by Frange, to the United States. The country thus proposed to be annexed has been settled principally by persons from the United States, who emigrated on the invitation of both Spain ani Mex:es, and who carried with them into the wilder. ness which they have partially re-claimed the lawe, customs, and political and domestic inatitutions of their native land. They are deeply indoctrinated in all the principles of civil liberty, and will bring along with them, in the act of re weeeciation, devotion to our Union, and a firm and inflexible resolution to Assiet 1u Maintaining the public Lberty uaimpared— 4 Consideration which, ax it appeary to me, 1s to be regarded asot no small moment The country, it- sell, thus obtained, is of incalculable value inan oR- riewltural and commercial point of view. To a soil of inexhaustible fertility, it unites a ge- nial and healthy climate, and is destined, at a day not distant, to make large contributions to the com- merce of the world. Its territory isseparated from the United States, in part, by an imaginary line, and by the river Sabine, fora distance ot 310 milew; and its productions are the same with those of ma- ny of the contiguous S.atesof the Uuion. Such is the country, such are inhabitants, and such its capacities to add to the general wealth of the Union. As to the latter, it may be safely asserted that in the magnitude of its productions, it will equal, in a short time, under the pretecting care of thisGovernment, if it does not surpass, the com- bined production of many States of e Gonfederu- cy. Anew and powerlul impulse will thus be to the navigating interest of the country, given : hich will be chiefly engrossed by our fellow Siukene of the Eastera ‘and Middle States, who have already attained a remarkable degree of pros- perity by the partial monopaly they have enjoyed of the carrying trade of the Union, particularly the coastwise trade, which this new acquisition ia des- tined in time, and that not distant, to swell toa magnitode which cannot cealy be computed ; ante the addition made to the boundaries ot the home market, thus secured to their mining, manu- facturing, and mechanical skill and industry, will be of acharacter the most communding and im- portant, if Such are some of the many. advaptages which will accrue to the Eastern and Middle States by the ratification of the treaty—advantager, the extent of which it is impossible to estimate with accuracy or properly to appreciate. Texas being adapted to the culture of cotton, sugar, and rice, and devoting most of her energies to the raising of these produc- tiona, will open an extensive market to the western States, in the important articles of beef,pork, horses, mules, &c., as well as its breadstuffs. At the te time, the Southern and Southwestern States will find, in the fact of annexation, rotection and se- curity to their peace and tranquility,as well against ali domestic as foreign efforts to disturb them; thus consecrating anew the Unionof the States, and holding out the promise of its perpetual duration. Thus, at the same time that the tide of public prosperity is greatly swollen, an appeal, of what appears to the Executive to be of un imposing, if not of a resistless cha.acter,is made to the interests ot every portion of the country. Agriculture,which would have a new and extensive market opened for its produce; commerce, whose thips would be freighted with the rich productions of an extensive and fertile region; and the mechanical arts, in all their various ramifications, would seem to unite in one universal demand for the ratification of the treaty. y $ But important as these considerations may ap- pear, they are to be regarded as but secondary to others. ‘exas, for reasons deemed sufficient by herself, threw off her dependeuce on Mexico, as far back as 1836, and consummated her indepen- dence by the battle of San Jacinto, in the same year; since which period, Mexico has attempted No serious invasion of her territory; but the con- test has assumed features of a mere border war, characterised by acts revolting to humanity. In the year 1836 Texas adopted her constitution, un- der which she hasexisted us a sovereign power ever since, having been recognized as such by many of the principal powers of the world; and contemporaneously with its adoption by a eolemn vote of her people, embracing all her population but ninety-three persons, declared her anxious de- sire to be adinitted into association with the Uni. ted States, asaportion of their territory. This vote, thus sciemnly taken, has never been rever- sed; and now, by the action of her coustituted authorities, sustained as it ig by popular sentiment, she reaffirms her desire for annexation. This course has been adopted by her, without the employment of any sinister measures on the part of this government. No intrigue has been set on foot to accomplish it. Texas herself wills it, and the Executive ofthe United States, concur- ring with her, has seen no sufficient reason to avoid the consummation of an uct esteemed to be so de- sirable hy both. It cannot be denied, that Texas is greatly depressed in her energies by her long- protracted war with Mexico. Under these cireum- stances, it is but natural that she should seek for safety and repose under the protection of some stronger power; and it is equally so that her people should turn to the United States, the land of their birth, iu the first instance, in the pursuit of such protection. She has often before made known her wishes; but her advances have, to this time, been repelled. The Executive of the United States sees no longer any cause for pursuing such a course. The hazard of now defeating her wishes may be of the most fatal tendency. Jt might lead, and most probably would, to such an entire alienation of sentiment and feeling as would inevitably induce her to look elsewhere for aid, and force her either to enter into dangerous alliances with other nations, who, looking. with mere wisdom to their interests, would, it is fairly to be presumed, readily adopt such expedients ; or she would hold out the proffer of. discri- minating duties in trade and commerce, in order to secure the necessary assistanc®@. Whatever step she might adopt, looking to this object, would prove disastrous, in the highest degree, tu the interests of the whole Union. Fo say nothing of the impolicy of our permitting the carrying trade and home mar- ket of such a country to pass out of our hands into those of a commercial rival, the Government, in the first place, would be certain to suffer most dis- astrously in its revenue by the introduction of a sys- tem of snuggling, ugon an extensive scale, which my of custom-house officers could not prevent nd which would operate to affect injuriously the interests of ell the industrial classes of this coun- try. Hence would arise constant collisions between the inhabitants of the two countries which would ever more endanger their peace. A large increase of the litary force of the United States would inevitably follow, thus devolving upon the people new and extraordinary burdens, in order not only to protect them from the danger of daily collision with Texas herself, but to guard their border inha- bitants against hostile inroads, so easily excited on the part of the numerous and warhke tribes of Indians dwelling ia their neighborhood. Texas would undoubtedly be unable, tor many years to come, if at any time, to resist, unaided and alone, the military power of the Unired States; but it is not extravagant to suppose that nations reaping a rich harvest from her trade, secured to them by ad- us treaties, would se induced to take part with her in any conflict with us, from the strongest public policy. Such a state of ngs might subject to devastation the territory of Hgnous States, and would cost the country, in a single campaign, more treasure, thrice told over, than is stipulated to be paid and reimbursed by the treaty now proposed for ratification Lt will not permit myseli to dwell on this view of the subject. Cousequences of a fatal character to the peace of the Unien and even to the preservation of the Union pitsell, might be dwelt upon. They will not, how. ever, fal to oceur to the mind of. the Senate and of the country. Ner do I indulge in any vague con- jeetures of the fature. The documents now trans mitted along with the treaty, lead to the conclusion, as inevitable, that if the boon now tendered be re- jected, Texas will seek for the friendship ot others. la contemplating suc! contingency, it cannot be overlooked that the United Stites “re_ already alinost surrounded by the possessions of European powers. The Canadas, New Brunswick ond Nova via, the islands in the American seas, with ‘exus, trammelled by treaties of alliance, or of a commercial character, differing in policy from that of tae United States, would complete the circle. Texas vo untarily steps forth, upon terins of perfect he aud good frith to all nations, to wek to be an- nexed to the on Asanindependent sovereignty, her right to d is is unquestionable. In doing so, she gives no c use of umorage to any other power; her people ¢esire it, and there is no slavish transfer of her sovereigaty and indepeadence She has tor eight years maintained her independence against ill efforts to sabdue her. She has been recognised us independent by many of the most prominent of th fieily of nations, and that recognition, so far is they are concerned, places her in 4 position, without giving amy just umbrage to them, te er her sovereignty at her own will and The United States, actuated evermore vy haw derired, by the sfipulatious der jnstice to utl v have sod provision for the paywweat of the yuolie debr | Teans, We look to her ampe and fernile domain *e eerton means of aecorsp ishiog this; hot this “A walter between the Unin d Sutee and Texan, aud With whveh other goveraments hive nowhing to do. Our right to receive Brant tendered by Texas is perfect; and thie tment should noi, having due respeet either to its own hogor or its Own interests, permi' its couree of pulicy to be in- terrupted by the iuterfr rence of other powers, even ifeuch intertereoce waa threatened. Te question is one purely American. Inthe acquisition, while we abstain most caretully trom all that could ioter rupt the public peace, we claim the nigh; to exercise a due rrgard to our own. This government cannot, contistently with its honor, permit any such inter- ference. With equal, if not greater propriety, might the United States demand of other governments to surrender their numcrous and valusble ecquisitions, made 10 time past, at uumberlegs places on the sur- tace of the globe, whereby they have added to their power and ealerged their reeourcee, To Mexico, the Executive is disposed to pursue a course sonailictory in its character, and at the same time to render her the most ample justice, b conventions and stipulations not inconsistent with the sights and dignity of the government. Itis ac- tuated by no spirit of unjust aggrandisement, but looks only to its own security. It has made known to Mexico, at several periods, its extreme unxiety to witness the termination of hostilities between that casniey and Texas. Its wishes, however, have been entirely disregarded. It has ever been ready to urge an ,adjustinent of the dispute upon tersus mutually advantageous to both _ It will be ready at all times to hexr and discuss any claims Mexico may think she has on the justice of the United States, and to adjust say that may be aeemed to be so on the most liberal terms, There is no de- sire on the part of the Executive to wound her pride, or affect injuriously her intereat; but, ut the same time, it cannot compromit by any delay in its action the esgential interests of the UnitedStates Mexico has no mene to ask or expect this of us— we deal rightfully with Texas as an Andepen dent power. The war which has been waged for eight years has resulted only in the conviction, with all others thau herself, that Texas cannot be recon- quered. I cannot but repeat the opinion, expressed in my message at the opening of Congrees, that it is time it hud ceased. The Executive, while it could not look upon its longer continuance without the greatest uneasiness, has nevertheless, for all st time, preserved a course of strict neutrality. frcoutd not be ignorant of the fact of the exhaus- tion which a war of so long a duration had pro- duced. Least of all was it ignorant of the anxi- ety of ether powers to induce Mexico to enter into terms of reconciliution with Texas, which, affecting the domestic institutions of Texas, woul: operate most injuriously upon the United States, and might most seriously threaten the existence ot this happy Union. Nor could it be unac- quainted with the fact, that although foreign governments might disavow all design to disturb the relations which exist under the Constitution between these States, yet that one, the most pow- erfal Suichee them, ‘had not failed to declare ita marked and decided hostility to the chief features in those relations, and its purpose, on all suitable occasions, to urge upon Mexico the adoption of such a course in negotiating with Texas as to pro- duce the obliteration of that feature from her do- mestic poiicy, a8 one of the conditiona of her re- cognition, by Mexico, as an independent State. The Executive was also ware of the fact, that formidabdle associations oi persons, the subjects of foreign powers, existed, who were directing their utmost efforts to the accomplishment of this object. To these conclusions it was inevitably brought by the documents now submitied to the Senate. TIrepeat, the Executive saw Texas in a state of almost Bile Sead exhaustion, and the ques- tion was narrowed down to the simple proposition, whether the United States should accept the boon of annexation en fair_and liberal terms, or, by re- fusing to do so, force Texas to seek a retuge in the arms of some other power, either through a treaty of alliance, offensive and detensive, or the adop- tion of some other expedient, which might virtual- ly make her tributary tosuch power, and dependent upon it for all future time. The Executive has full reason to believe that such would have been the result, without its interposition, and that such will be the result, in the event either of unnecessary delay in the ratification, or of the rejection of the proposed treaty. ' In full view, then, of the higheet public duty, and as a measure of security against evils incalculably great, the Executive has entered into the negotia- tion, the fruits of which are now submitted to the Senate. Independent of the urgent reasons which existed for the step it has taken, it might safely in- voke the fact, which it confidently believes, that there exists no civilized government on earth, hay- ing a voluntary tender made it of a domain so rich and fertile, so replete with all that can add to na- tional greatness and wealth, and so necessary to its peace and safety, that would reject the offer. Nor are other powers, Mexico inclusive, likely, in any degree, to be injuriously affected by the ratifica- tion of the treaty. The prosperity of Texas will be equally interesting to all; in the increase of the gen- eral commerce of the worid, that prosperity will be secured by annexation. i But one view of the subject remains to be pre- sented. It grows out of the proposed enlargement of our territory. From this, I am free to coofese, I see no danger. The federative system is suscepti- ble of the greatest extension compatible with the ability of the representation of the most distant state or territory to reach the seat of goverament in time to participate in the functions of legislation, and to make known the wants of the coustituent body. Our confederated republic consisted originally of thirteen members. I now consists of twice that number, while ap; ons are before Congress to permit other addition This addition of new S 8 has served to strength- en rather than to weaken the Union. New inter- ests have sprung up, which require the united power of all, through the action of the common govern- ment, to protect and defend upon the high seas and in toreign parts. Each State commits, with per- fect security, to that common government those Great interests growing out of our relations with other nations of the world, and which equally involve the good of all the States Its domestic concerns are |. ft to its own exclusive management, But if there were any force in the objection, it would seem to require an immediate abandonment of territorial possessions which lie in the distance, and stretch to a far-off sea; and yet no one woul: be found, it is believed, ready to recommend euch an abandonment. Texas lies at our very doors, and in our immediate vicinity Under every view which I have been able to take of the subject, { think that the interests of our common constituenta, the peeple of all the States, and alove of the Union, leit the Fxecutive no other alternative than to negotiate the treaty. The high and solemn duty of ratifying or of rejecting it, is wisely devolved on the Senate by the Constitu- tion of the United States. Joun Tyrxr. Wasuinoron, April 22, 1844. Messrs. Van Zandt and Henderson to Mr. Calhoun. Legation or Texas, Washington City, April The undersigned, &c., in reply to the inquiries of Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of State of the United Stites, have the honor tu submit the followin: In 1836, after the declaration of the independence of Texas, in pursuance of the orders of the con- vention and tle expression of the popular will, the President ad interim, by his proclamation, ordered an election to be held throughout the Republle, for the ratification or rejection of the Constitution which had been adopted by the convention, and for the expression by the people of their wishes in regard to the annexation of Texas to the United States. The result was, that, upon a full poll, but ninety-three votes were given against the annex- ation. Following up this delared wish of the people, the first Congress that assembled thereafter passed an act empowering the President to appoint a rainister to present the question to the Government of the United States he proposition having been de- clined, it was deemed pradent, in order to facilitate Negotiations with otLer countries, not to press the question of annexation further, and therefore it was withdravin. Subsequenily, in 1842, instruetions were giren for the informal renewal ef the negotiations which, not having been met by reciprocal action on the part of the United States, were, in Angnst Jast, again withdrawn, and the attention of the Govern- ment of Texas directed to the objects calculated, in its opizion, to secure its safety and advance its prosperity, for the attainment of which reasonable assurances had been received. Afterwards, on the 16th ot October last, the proposition for the forma- tion of a treaty of annexation was made by this Government, through the late Secretary of State, Mr. Upshur, to the Government of Texas. Atthat time, no arrangement having been concluded in- consistent with such a step, and the Congress hav- ing expressed tieir approbation of the measure, and every Sse ne mere sentiment fally indicating that the people of Texas were yet desirous to con- summate a measure believed to be promotive of the mutual weltare of both countries, and withont ‘om motives of policy or necessity, they might be compe to adopt measures which, it is to be feared, would engender a feeling uf untriendly rivalship, productive of discord and strife, and dangerous to their mutual peace ard quiet, the President of Texas det ed to accede to the proposition, and accordingly empowered the un- crranped to ailjust the terms of the treaty just con- cluded, The undersigned have the most abiding confi- dence, that, should the annexation be consumma- ted, the same will receive the hearty and full con- currence ot the people of Texas. And believing that the fate of this treaty, be the decision whi ever it may, will forever decide the ee of an- nexation—a question, the continued agitation of which, has prevented their Government from pur- sning rigorously any other policy—they feel the highest gratification that this opportunity has thus | been offered. They will not anticipate nor specu- late upon the op ag ene of a rejection. tis. fied, however, that the language, institutions, and locality of the two counines have d them for becoming members of the same great political ta- mily, or fated them to a conflict of interest, which may result im evil consequences, they trust that it may be so determined as to secure the blessings of poet ty toboth, and promote the happiness of man- ibd. Upon the subject of the public lands, the under- signed eurumit a summary statement, made from a late report of the Commissicacr of the General Land Office to the Presideat of Texas. Acres. He estimates the aggregate at - - 203,520,000 Lands appropriated = - - - - - - 67,408,673 Remainder unappropriated - + + 386,111,327 In a report of a committee of the House of Re- presentatives of the Co: 96 of ‘Texas, made to that bode on the 12th of January, 1841, the debt and liabilities of the Republic are stated to be as follows F Funded debt, bearing 10 per ct. interest $1,650,000 Bonds sold and pledged, bearing 10 per cent. interest = + - = + 1,350,000 ‘Lreasury notes without interest - - 3,000,000 Debts of various descriptions, say audit- ed drafts and other claims without interest - - - 7 - = 1,000,000 $7,000,000 This report includes the interest then accrued, and a nuinber of unaudited claims, suppoeed to be. valid, which were not computed in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury to the saine Congress, which report shows the publie debt as less than five millions of dollars. Since the debt above referred to, no further gen- eral estimate has been made at the Treasury De- partment. Itis known, however, that the revenues of the government have more than equalled its ex- penditures; so that the debt has not materially in- creased, except from the interest which has since accrued, 9 " _ The undersigned avail themselves of this occa- sion to offer to Mr. Calhoun assurances of their distinguished consideration, ISAAC VAN ZANDT. J. PINCKNEY HENDERSON, Hon. Joun C. Catuoun, Secretary of State. Mr. Van Zandt to Mr. Webster.—[ Extracts. _ Le@ation or Texas, Washington City, Dee. 14, 1824 Sir :—The undersigoed, charge d’affaires of the Republic of Texas, (under the instructions of his Government,) begs leave to submit for your consi- deration a subject of general concern to civili: nationg, but of peculiar interest to Texas, viz: the character of the war at present waged against Tex- as by Mexico. From the nature of the facts in- volved, it is believed that this step will be deemed not only admissable,. but entirely proper. _ The civilized and Christian world are interested in the unimpaired preservation of those rules of international intercourse, both in peace and war, which have received the impress of wisdom an humanity, and been strengthened through a long course of time by the practice and approval of the most enughtened of modern states. To these rules. in their application to the pending difficulties be- tween Te2gis and Mexico, your attention isrespect- fully invited. ‘Whenever a people, seperate and sovereign, are admitted into the great community of nations, they incur respon: ibilities and contract obligations which are reciprecal in their character, and mutually binding upon all the members of that community, the extent and force of which depend upon that code of ethics which prescribes the reciprocal du- ties and obligations of each suvereign member.— Hence arises the right to supervise the mode and manner o! warlare pursued by one nation towards another, and the corresponding duty of inhibiting the perpetration of acts at variance with the laws ot humanity, and the settled usages of civilized nations. In view of the character of hostilities at present waged by Mexico and Texas, and of those princi- ples which it is believed have been so frequently and a a violated by Mvxic™, the hope is con- fidently indulged by my Government that the direct interference of nations mutually friendly will be exerted to arrest a species of warfare unbecuming the age in which we live, and disgraceful to any people professing to be civilized. ‘he course of conduct uniformly observed by the Government and people of Texas towards Mex- ico, stands in palpable centrast with the manifold enormities and wanton aggressions of the latter, and will, it is confidently believed, furnish abund- ant ground for the exercise uf the right of interter- ence now, evoked. 7 Me Bats, Mins has What is most to be deplored in a war of this character is, that the anoffending and defenceless become yictims of the most relentless cruelty.— War, in its most generous and noble aspect, is ac- companied by great calamities. Nations are seldom benefitted by it, and it must be productive of great individual suffering. But when individuals and Nations are exasperated by repeated wrongs, even cruelty may be rendered tolerable, when it is used as retaliation for injuries long endured. The mas- sacres and cruelties which have been inflicted upon Texas since the commencement of the revolution have been responded to by a generous forbearance. But that forbearance cannot be expected mnch longer to exist. Tue object of Mexico in her ccurse cannot be misunderstood. By incurvioas of tne character complained of she may de press our hvsbandmen end farmers; the cry of invasion that is ke pt up, end ae excitement inciaent to a state of war, may prevext emigration «nd embarr es our revenue, deter- Ting men of enter, rise end capital from coakitig im- portation goods into our country. Three, fora time, may avail her something; but the ageregatc «f buman suflering will be a poor recompense for the advantages thus gained. The origin, genius, and eharacter of the people of Texis are guarantees for her ulumate success. Nations that contribute to her advancement will command ber gratitude. Never since eighteen hundred and thirty-six has Mexico attempted noy thing of the character of a general invasion of Tex4e, or conducted the war up- on any plan calculated to test the superiority cf tue two nations upon the field of battle, and bring the war toa clote by the arbitrament of arms. Her horiile demonstrations, thus tar, have consis'ed « x- clasively in the clandestine approach of emall bands of rancheros trom the valley of the Rio Grande, ac- companied by Iadiaus, (both of whom are actuated trom parposes ot plusder and thett,) but sometimes asauciated with fragments of the Mexican army, composed, tor the iaest part, of convict soldiery, fitted for nothing either honorable in enterprize or Magnanimous in conduct Tne peop'e of Texas being for the most part agri culturisie, and engaged in the tillage of the goil, he conseq teuces of this predatory warlare have been to them extremely vexatious und harrsssing, wi'h- out in any degree hasieni juxtment ot the di ffic ‘8 existing between the partirs. Entirely the general character of the Mexicaa population ‘They are literally a nation of herds men; subsisting in a great measure trom the pro- creeds of U flocks and herds, they can move about fom place to place, and make their homes wherever inclination or convemence muy prompt, without detriment. . Hitherto the conduct and dieposition of the Gov- ernment and people ot Texie have been diametri- cally opposed to those manifested by Mex co — While Mexico has ben d«predating upon the pro- perty ef our exposed and defenceless frontier, mur- dering the inhabitants in cold bload, orfercing them away ino a loathrome and too often fatal captivity, ing the numerous tribes of hostile ludiane, who reside along our noithern from ier, to piunder our exposed settiements, eimuluting them to the most cruel and barbarous massacres and inhuinan butch- eries even ot our deteaceless women and children, and 10 commit every exces: of savege warimre, Tr x- aa, animated by the hope of avoiding a further re- sort to and che attendant calamities, for inju- ries received, returned forbearaner; her Presidevt has sought to ubetain from the effusion of blood, aod with thet aim has uoiformly restrained the impetuosity and calmed the excitement of his coun- trvmen, so often aroused by a course of conduct which violates every right, both private and nation- al, and acruel'y and depravity which would die- grace the darsest ages of feudal barbarisa. The ular impulse might have been turned upon the enemy upon their own soil; the result might have ved that a free people, burning with vengeance jong res rained, could levy a heavy reiribution. Such being the character of hostie operations nga Texaa, on el ps of our enemy, which be- ing plainly violative of every principle of civilized, Christian, or honorable wartare, aud at the sane time eo little calculated to achieve the professed ob- ject of the war, the re-corquest of Texae, ‘he Pees:- dent confidently hopes the Government of h- Uui- ted States will teel not only jus ified but even call- ed upon to interpoee its high wuthority to arrest this cours of proceeding, and to require of Mexico eith- er the recognition of the independence of Texas, or to make war upon her according to the rules es- tabl shed and universally recognised by civilized na tons, Ite believed that this uj: c: addresses itself ” the Government of the Unived States with pecu- iar force, having been the firet 10 welcome us into the family of nations. Muny of her cilizeus were thereby indueed to emigrate to Texas, some of whom have goce only for purposes of trade, othere to become citizene, and share the common fate of our young Re pablic, but both of whom are alike ex- posed to the outrages alluded to. Again: the Uui ted States being the leading and oldest independent Power on this continen', and iovg tames for the cor. reetnees of her princip‘er, her highly eulghtened apd magonimous policy both in avd war, entiv'ea her te the exercise of the Tulerposition ine voked, without eubjecting her to the imputation of atrosance. i It Mexico believes hersell able to re-eubjugate Texas, her right wo make the effort will not be deni- ed; on the cuatrary, af she chovs+s to invade our territory with that purpose, the Precident, im the name of the people of all Texas, wili bid her wel- come It is not againet a war with Mexico that Texas would protest. This she deprecaies not.— She is willing at any time to stake ber exiat-nce an 4 pation upon the igeue of a war conducted upon Chnstiap prinerplee. It is alone ugainst the uaholy, inhuman, aud fruitless character 1t has assumed und still maintains, which violates every rule of honor able warfare, every precept of relixion, aud sets at defiance even the common sentiments of humani' agaist which ehe protests and invokes the lute rpo. sition of those powerful nations which have recug- nized her independence. Tve Government of Texts has already given un earnest of her disposition to consult the wushes of other vations, when chose wishes do net conflict with the general interest und convenieace of the country Fully appreciating the frieadly sentiments of the United Siates aad other Powers, who hud acknowledged the independeuce of Texas, end re- lyivg mueb upon their ability and influence in seen- ring an early and permanent adjustment of ber diffi culties wish Mexico, the President, in compliavce with the desire of the United Sates and other Gov- ernmente, expressed through their representatives to the Texan Govern.cent, revoked the late procia- mation of blockade againet Mexico, and ata time whea our navy wasprepariog to enfore it with great er rigor, and thus removed every cauze of embar- rasemen to those natious iu their intercourse with ourenemy. | Having thus yielded the opportunity of retaliating upon our enemy tor the many injuries we had re ceived at the:r ha eluctance is felt in ma- king this represeat invoking the interpo- sition of the United States to put an end to a mode of warlare at once disgraceful to the ge, 80 evil iu ite consequences to civil society, vo revclting to ev ery precept of the Christian rejigion, and shocking Jo every centiment of humanity. The undersigned avails himeelf of the occasion to offer to Mr. Webster renewed assurances of his dis ‘loguished consideration. ISAAC VAN ZANDT. Hon. Danie, WesstFR, Secretary of Stute of the United States. Mr. Dpshier to Mr. Murphy. PARTMENT OF * TATE, ) s Warhingtop, August 8, 1813. Sir: A private letter from « citizen ot Maryland, then in London, contains the following paesage : “{ tearn trom a source entitled to the fullest con- fidence, that there is nuw here a Mr. Andrews, de- puted by the abolitionists of Texas to negotiate with tue British Governmect. That he has seen Lord Aberdeen, and submitted hia project for the aboli- tion of elavery in Texas. wich ie, that there shall be orgenized acompany tn England, who shall advance a sufficieut sum to pay for slaves now ia Texas, end receive in payment Texas laude; that the sum thus advanced shall be paid ever as an indemnity for the aholition ef slavery; and I em ahubtetes bv the Texan minis‘er to say to you, that Lord Aberdeen has agreed that the Briti-h Government will guar. antee the payment ot the intereat on this loan, upon condition that the Texan Government will abolish slavery.” : The writer profeeees to feel entire confidence in the +c -uracy of this information. He is a man of es intetligence, and well versed in public aifaire lence I have every reason to confide in the correct- ness of bis c:nclusions. ‘here is, however, some difficulty in uvderstandiag the terms of the proposi- tion as he bus given them. It the money tu be u¢- vancrd ia 'o be repaid in Tex+slands, it can scarce- ly be regard d as a loan, and of course there is no necesaity ot avy guarantee oo the part of the Eng- lish Goveroment I thick 1t probable that alrerna- tive propositions have been made, the one for an ed- vance to be repaid in lands, and the other for a loan to be guaranteed by the British Government But, whatever the precise terms of the proposition may be, there seems to be no doubt as te the object in view, ard none that the English Government has offered ite co operation. A mov-meat of this sort cavnot be contemplated by usin silence. Such an attempt upon any neigh- boring country would necessarily be viewed by this Government with very deep concern; but when itis mude upon a vation whose territories join the slave- holding States of oor Union, it awakens a still more solemn interest It cannot be vermitted to succeed without the most strenuous efforts oa our part to ar- rest a calamity 20 serious to every part of our couu- try. _ Jf such an attempt were confined to the “uboli- tiouists of Texas,” it would scarcely merit grave couaideration. Their oumbere it is believed, are very anal; and the state of public opinion ie by no means favorable to the success of their enterprise — Butif it be a tact that it has engaged the attention of Lord Aberdeen, and that he has p'edged the co- operation of the Euglish Government to a certein rxtent, 1 possesses an importance which demands our serious attention. It cannot be supposed that England tnewns to limit her designs to the emanci- pation of a few thousand slaves She would have ulterior objects tar more important to her und ter More interesting to us. We might probably consider this as part of a gen- eral pian by which England would eeck to ebolish domesue slav-ry throughout the eptire continent and islands of America, in order to fiad of create new markets for the products of her home industry, and at tne eame time to destroy all competition with the industry of her colonies. In the great stupies of sugar and co'ton, her colonies of the Hast und West ladies are unable to compete with the slave labor of the United States, Texas, and Brazil Experi ence has shown that thove articles cannot be pro- duced to any considerable exient on the continent ot America by the labor of white men; and ot course, if slavery can be abolished on that conti- nent, the great rivale of her colonial industry will be removed. This fact affords an explanation, for which we should seek elsewhere in vaio, of miny of ber most important measures. No other ade- quate motive cun be found for her determiued and pere-vering conrse in regard to domestic slavery in other coun:ries. This view of the case should ne v- er be (vet sight ef in forming our opinions of the ob- ject aud probable tendency of all her movements upon this point. ° {v.15 an important thing to England to obtain an in- fluence over the policy of ‘Texas: and the present eiusuion of thet couatry offers her every encourage- ment to make the a'tempt. Pressed by uo unlent- ing enemy on her b orders, her trearury exhuusted, aod her credit almost destroyed, Tex s 13 1n acondi- tion to need the support of other nations, acd to ob- tain it upon terms of great hardship and many eacri- fices 10 hereelt. If rhe should reeeive no cou ite. onnce and support from the United States, itis not an extravagant supposition that England may and will reduc: her to all the dependence ot a colony without teking upon herselt the enerous duties and responsib.liues of the m«ther country. The uid which it is said she now cff-rs towar! the abolition of slavery, although probably net the first, is a very important step; it will be toliewed by arhi which willaot fail to establish for heracontr. Ilieg influence for many yearstocome. The United States buve a high interest to counteract this attempt, shou'd it be made. Texas is a'ready an important customer to us. Being hervelf exclusively and almost necessarily agricultural. she must depend on other coun ries tor oearly all the manufectured articles of every sori which her people need Her sympathies are vow with us, and her geographical position enables her to trade with us more advantageou-lythan with any oth- erconntry Shon'd ner government be settled npaw terms which will leave her free and independent in fact as well as in name, her population, and conse- quently her vroductive industry and her trade, will increase rapidly ; her territory will soon be filled with peop!e who will be liberal parchasers manufactures, without offering the slightest co tition with that branch of our industry. Hence we have a high interest to keep her as iar_as possible from the influence of other countries. Lett to her- self, we have no reason to tear any rivalry, either in her trade or in the ere feelings of her peo- ple. The manufacturing industry of the United States is not yet so prosperous as to relieve the government from all care to provide proper means of fostering and extending it. The best, and the all-sufficient means is, to provide for it suitable markets for the sale of its products. It has now attained a degree of excellence which enables it to compete with that of any other country upon fair and equal terms; but it cannot sustain itself it the markets on which it has heretofore relied shall be virtually shut against it, by the superior advantages offered to the manufacturers of other counttes. Certainly no measures calculated to produce such a result can be unworthy the serious attention and watchful care of this government. Contemplating this anti-slavery movement, if it has been or shall be made, as part of a system by which England hopes to obtain an influence over the policy of Texas, we cannot be at a loss to esti- mate its importance. Give to England more fa- vorable terms of trade than the United States can obtain, and her manufactures of all kinds will be thrown into Texas, not merely for the supply of that country, but with a view to have them smug gled into the United States. This will be an easy progese, and one which this government will find it impossible to arrest. Our Southern and Soath- western States will be filled with the manufactures of England, smuggled acrosa the Red River, and throu; a the inferior waters of Louisiana. Thus the manufacturing States of our Union will not only jose the market of Texas iteelf, but they will also loge, to a great extent, the still more valuable mar- ket of our Southern and Southwestern States. The result is pot only probuble, but it is almost cer- tain. 1t is too important to be contemplated with- on very grave concern on the part of this Govern- ent. The effect on the cotton-growing States of our Union, although it will not be equal y disastro: will yet be very seriously felt. The cotton cf Tex: will necessarily be piven, in exchange forthe ma: factures of England, and of course it will take the place, to that extent, of the supplies now furni to that country by the United States. The effect of this state of things upon the reve- nues of the United States, is uot unworthy of con- sideration. Importations trom England will © ase to the extent of the supply which will bean -gled into this country ; and the revenue fron: customs must be diminished in the same propor and, as @ necessary consequence, the naviguting laterests of our people will suffer in no inconsiderable degree. It is quite certain that the mere emancipation of the elaves of Texas could not produce these mo- mentous results, It is not in that view that [ press the subject upon your <ttentien. The diplomacy ot Ene a as heretotore been ecarcely fe sue ceseful than her arms, in obtaining for her the lar- gest share of the eommerce of the world. Her movements are generally begun at a distance, and her approaches are jul and cautious; and for that very reason they rarely fail of success. Doing nothing in the beginning te excite the susp.- cions or rouse the jealousy of other nations, her ps are not often fully developed until it is no longer, possible to oppose em. It is in thie view of her'policy, that the Present supposed movernent becomes important. tis of hitle co uence to her whether twelve or fifteen thousand Africans in Texas be bond or free; but it is of great conse- quence to her to create a sympathy with that peo- le ; to acquire an interest in their industry ; to found a claim upon their favor, and to contre! their policy. Precisely ia rtion ae she shall be suc- ceasful in these particulars, will the esmmercial and manufacturing interests of the United States. suffer. Hence the necessity of looking narrowly to her first steps, however distant they may seem to be from their si d objects. But there is anoth- er view of this ject still more important to us, and scarcely less important to Texas herself. establishment, in the very midst of our elave-hold- ing States, of an independent Government, forbid- ding the existence of slavery, and by a people born, for the most part, amongst us, reared up in our habits, and speaking our language, could not f Trae the moet unhappy eflects upon both parties. lt Texas were in that condition, her territory would afford a ready refuge for the fugitive slaves of Louisiana and Arkansue, und would hold-out to them an encouragement to run away, which no municipal regulations of those States could i bly counteract. Even if this Government should inter for the protection of the sluve-holder, it would be very difficult so to arrange the subject as to avoid disputes and collisions. The States im- mediately interested would be most likely to take the subject into their own hands. They would perceive that there could not be any security for that species of Property, if the mere crossing of a geographical line could give freedom to the al lave ; they would perceive that the protection thus offer- ed to the slave would remove from his mind that dread of consequences which retains him from the commission of the worst crimes; they would feel that the safety of themselves und their fami- lies was endangered ; shor Rook live in continual uneasiness and alarm, and in the constant exercise of a painful and harrassing watchfulness. It is not to be supposed that a people conscious of the pewer to protect themselves wold long submit to such a state of thin; They would assume the right to reclaim their elaves by force, and fer that purpose would invaile the territory of Texus. It is not dif- ficult to see that quarrels and war would soon grow out of this state of things. ‘f this Government should make itself a purty in asserting the rights of the slave-holder, the reeu!t could not fail to be un- favorable to Texas. If this Goveroment should re- fuse to become a party, 1t would feel itself under an obligation te interpose for the purpose of checking and controlling ite own citizens. It 1s not probable that such an interposition would heeflectual against the vital interests, the common rights, and the ex- asperated feelings of twelve States of the Union. leave it to your own reflection, sir, to suggest to you the effect of such a state of things upon ‘the harmony of our Union. We cannot apply to a ease of this sort any ana- logy drawn from the contiguity of slave-holding and non-slave-holding States of our Union. We live under a common Government, and are bound to- gether by a thousand political and social ties.— Uur Constitution guarantees all the rights of the slave-holder, and there is an uct of Congresa which provides the means of enforcing ¢ There ig among us a common perct, which ail are bound to obey, and to which all have a right to appeal. Bat, what is still more influential, we have common rights, and (if correctly understood,) common in. terests ; and out of those have sprung all the strong sympathies which bind together the people of the same country. The slave-holder of the United States has not yet lost the hope that ull the embar- rassments which individuals or States have thrown in the way of that property may be removed by the quiet action of our own systems; and even if it were otherwise, he would bear much and, forbear long rather than to bring wto danger the peace and harmony of our Union. But he would have no such motives for forbearance towards a forei Sa He could not have the same hope ofe peaceful redress of his wrongs, nor the same int est patiently to bear them, nour the sume social and friendly feelings to reprees or moderate hii sentments. With regard to Texas, the ation would merely be, whether he should subaly ib tolerable and ruinous wrongs, or protect hifueelf, by force. Between such alternatives, it is i ible to suppose that he would hesitate « imumebi Neither is there any just analogy, so far as this question 18 concerned, between Texas and the Ca- nadas. Those provinces ure separated from the slave-holding States by many intervening nen-slave- holding States. They canuot be reached by the slave, by land, without his passing through States of our Union, whose laws give him freedom by the very fact of his treading on their svil. It is atleast questionable, therefore, whether Cauada would not have a right to consider the slave a freeman, upon the priaciples of our own institutions, Besi distance’ of that country from the slave-holding States affords a sufficient security against eny se- rious injury from that source. Canada condary recipient of the tugitive slav measures ought, ia all justice, to be first taken aguinst the authorities which first receive and shel r sir, to impress this subject upon your attention ; and for that reason I have presented it to you in some ot the strong lights in which it has struck my own nuvd. Iris worthy, therefore, of your most vigilant care. Few calami- ties could betal this country more to be deplored than the establishment of a@ predominant British influence and the abolition of domestic slavery in Texas. sili No communication has been received from you at this Department since that which enclosed Pre- sident Houston’s proclamation of an armistice con- claded with Mexico. Tum in great uncertainty as to the true estate of this matter A ietter from Mr. Thompson, our Minister at Mexico, informs me that an order has been iseued hy shat Government, directed that all “ foreigurrs taken in the ranks ot her enemies shall be put to death. As Texas is the only country with which she is new at war, this order can apply only to those who “may be taken prisoneis whie fighting under her banner, and it would seem that there could nut have been any necessity for such an order in regard to them, it an armistice had been agreed on in good faith, with a view to arrangements for peace. It ia very important that this Goverument should be promptly and accurately intormed of ull important occurrer- ces in Texas and Mexico. It is expe that you will lose no opportunity of communieating such information, Be pleased to make your communi. cations full and accurate, commencing your narr tive of events at the point at wich your prede- cessor left off. The history of the legaiiun should be continuous and unbroken. Lam, sir, your obedient servant, A. P. UPSHUR W.S. Morrny, Esq., &e. Mr. Murphy to Mr. Upshur, Legation or rae User Sepr 4 St Your despatch of 81 Angu (No. 6,) received by Mr. Abell, presents a subject of the deepest interest 10 our beloved country, and one which demands from me 4 mo-t ardent, patient, and full investigation, reaching throughoutthe time likely to be allotted to me tere It shail have all I can bestow of patient labor and incessant wateh- fulness ; and, mation can be had, or ag the policy or mac ions of the secret foes of our common country may be developed here, you shall have the earliest information trou me thereof. Havirg not been ina iten: hi vat interest of onr country hy retofere, L have coilee'ed some tacts which t will present tu your consid ra on, as data for tutare reference This Andrews, to whom you Lo den corres por- Hudes, before he visiren Loi dur, hed resided with bisfamily at Houston, 1m ex, tyr come four or five yenrs—was a liwyer in good , rence, and a tan of seme property io aud wen Hoaston, On his r-rurn, the ci: gene having found ont the object 0! his mission to London, ano thar he hed been mak- tHe prepositions to the Brteh Government for the abolition ot slavery in Texas, drove him, by foree, fram the Stwe, denying him the privit retar Sach ie the remper ard mind of the people, on the subject of abolition ; Tiearn here that the plan proposed by thie \ndrewa