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16
THE WAR IN TEXAS.
vernment, which they will do no doubt so soon as
they shall have a reasonable pretext for doing so.*
At present they are probably subject to as few
exactions and impositions as any people under the
sun."
In addition to the writings of various editors
of newspapers and their correspondents, we
might enumerate the speeches of distinguished
political orators, members of legislative bodies,
and whether, if requested,
we ought to give the seceder military assistance; and what
would be the effect of the acquisition of Texas upon our
planting interest."
territory in question. Others, in noticing it, pass
over it without comment.
What, we would ask, would be the consequence
of adding so large a territory to our already extensive
domain? What the line of policy that will in such
an event .be pursued with respect to SLAVERY, in
sail territory? These momentous queries force
themselves upon our minds. as subjects of the deepest
interest. We shall very soon recur to the general
subject, and give our views of it more at length.
TEXAs.-Of the importance of this vast territory,
whether viewed geographically or politically, as an
appendage to the United States, every one must be
well aware. We believe that no man is more seiisible
ol the value of such an acquisition than our minister
to Mexico; and we believe that a treaty of boundary,
by which the Texas should be included in our Republic,
has been one of the chief objects of his hopes,
and, as far as he could with propriety act, his efforts.
The following article, extracted from the Creole,
refers to a report that Great Britain has attempted to
obtain by purchase this large tract of territory. In
the present depressed and distracted condition of
Mexico; a great portion of her capital lost by her
impolitic exclusion of the old Spaniards; and an
expedition hostile in its character and designs, on
its way to her shores, it is not to be conceived that
she will listen with indifference to any offers addressed
to her cupidity. It may be a subject well
worthy the attention and deliberation of Congrew,
whether an appropriation to the amount required for
the acquisition of this territory, would not be amply
compensated by so large an accession to our territorial
wealth and political power:
Te.as.-Rio Grande del Norte, or Great North
River.-Captain Austin has obtained a grant from
each of the States through which this river passes,
securing to him the exclusive navigation of its waters,
and is about to proceed on his first voyage, to ascend
it by steam as high as Chihuahua, the capital of the
State of that name, a distance of about six hundred
miles. A voyage from New Orleans to Metamoras
or Refugio, on the del Norte, can be made in three
or four days, and thence by steam to Chihuahua in
the same time. The Ariel which left New York
foi this purpose, has an engine of 36 horse power, is
about 100 tons burthen, moves at the rate of eleven
miles and a half an hour, and draws but three feet
four inches water. At high water she can get up to
within fifteen leagues of Santa Fe, without being
obstructed by the rapids. Thus a journey which now
occupies two months, may be performed in a fortnight,
and the products of one of the richest and
most delightful regions in the world be added to our
imports.
A rumor reached us by the last packet from Mexico,
(the Virginia,) that a company of British merchants
had offered to advance $5,000,000 to the Mexican
government on the condition that the province of
Texas should be placed under the protection of
Great Britain. It was also said that a proposition,
would be made by the Mexican government, to put
the Texas lands into our possession, on a loan of the
above sum. -This would be in contemplation of a
treaty of cession to the United States, by which the
Rio del Norte will become our southern boundary,
if the proposition should still be accepted. The
talents and experience of Captain Austin render him
every way qualified for the bold project he has conceived,
and we hope to see him early crowned
with success proportioned to his zeal and activity."
Creole.
In the Nashville Banner of the 21st ult. we find
some communications on this subject; in one of
which it is recommended to exchange the territory
west of the -Rocky Mountains for the Province of