Freestone County, Texas History - 1840s THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE newspaper Portsmouth, New Hampshire April 30, 1844 edition MR. WALKER'S LETTER ON TEXAS The extreme length of Mr. Walker's letter on Texas, though full of interesting and important details, is, as we have already intimated, too much for our columns. Having already given the substance of some of the facts and arguments in favor of the constitutionality and the feasibility of the re-annexation; we now make a few extracts on the expediency of the measure. "Is it expedient to reannex Texas to the American Union? This is the greatest question, since the adoption of the constitution, ever presented for the decision of the American people. Texas was once our own, and, although surrendered by treaty to Spain, the surrender was long resisted by the American government, and was conceded to be a great sacrifice. This... ============================================= Washington Daily Globe newspaper Washington, D.C. May 23, 1844 edition From the Nashville Union GENERAL JACKSON AND ANNEXATION We present our readers to-day with another letter from General Jackson, on the subject of immediate annexation of Texas to the United States, in which he brings this important question before the country in its true light. This letter comes fort at the urgent request of General Jackson's numerous friends, who have addressed him of late, and expressed a desire to know if his sentiments have not changed in regard to annexation, since so much information has been brought to bear upon this great measure by the letters of Mr. Van Buren and other distinguished men of our country. ---- HERMITAGE, May 13, 1844 To the Editor of the Union: SIR: I am induced to address you this letter, because I have, within a few days past, received letters from many of my friends, who have expressed a desire to know whether my views in relation to the policy of annexing Texas to the United States have been changed by the light which the subject has received from the recent letters of Mr. Van Buren, and other prominent citizens; and because it seems to be necessary that I should answer or be misunderstood. Having no connexion with the question, except the interest which, in common with other citizens, I take in all that concerns my country, what I have heretofore said upon it was dictated by no desire to be a prominent actor. It was certainly far from my expectation that there should be an effort in any quarter to make the question a mere party one. Hence, when it was brought to my notice some twelve months ago, by the honorable Mr. Brown of ... years have elapsed since the memorable battle of San Jacinto, and there has bee no serious attempt on the part of Mexico to occupy the country, and it is certain none can be made with any prospect of success. In this state of affairs, acknowledged by ourselves and the principal powers of the world as an independent nation, and treated as such, Texas renews to us the almost unanimous wish of her citizens to be annexed to the United States, telling us, substantially, that if now repulsed, she must form such alliances elsewhere as will best enable her to improve her resources and repair the disasters which she has suffered from a protracted quasi war. She is sensible that her happiness will be best secured by incorporation into our Union--that the disposition and pursuits of her people, being homogeneous with those of the United States, can receive no adequate protection from any other quarter. We admit the truth of these assertions, and feel that they constitute a powerful motive for action, independent of the considerations which are suggested by a prudent regard for the stability of our own institutions. In reference to Mexico, I would use the following language: We have carefully abstained from all interference with your relations to Texas except to acknowledge her independence, in the same manner and upon the same principals that we did your independence when you separated from Spain. We have, indeed, been more scrupulous with you than with Spain, for, without consulting or respecting the feelings of the latter power, our government did not hesitate to open a negotiation with you for the retrocession of Texas, and that, too, long before your independence was acknowledged by Spain. But the time has now come when we feel that this delicacy ought no longer to restrain us form a treaty with Texas, particularly as we know that our failure to do so will produce results that may endanger the safety of our own confederacy. .... I cannot close these remarks without saying that my regard for Mr. Van Buren is so great, and my confidence in his love of country is strengthened by so long and intimate an acquaintance, that no difference on this subject can change my opinion of his character. He has evidently prepared his letter from a knowledge only of the circumstances bearing on the subject as they existed at the close of his administration, without a view of the disclosures since made, and which manifest the probability of a dangerous interference with the affairs of Texas by a foreign power. I am, respectfully, Your servant, ANDREW JACKSON