The political limits of Texas iiropcr, -previous to the last re vol fition, were the Nueces river on the ivest, along the Red River on the north, the Sabine on the east, and the Gulf of Mexico on the south.'" * The report of his agent in Texas was accompanied by the Piesideiit with certain remarks highly characteiistic of the pohcy pursued from the first b}'^ the Federal Go- vernment towards that province. " It is known," said the President, "that the people of Texas have instituted the same form of government with our own ; and have, since the close of your last session, openly resolved, on the acknovvledgment by you of their independence, to seek admission into the Union as one of the Federal States.
The title of Texas to the territory she claims is identified with her independence. She asks us to acknowledge that title to the territory -vvath an avowed design immediately to transfer it to the United States." Thus we have a direct appeal to the avarice of the American people in behalf of annexation. The extravagant claims of Texas to Mexican territory are spread before Congress, and that body is reminded that the title to these vast domains is identified with the independence of Texas. Let us acknowledge that independence, and v/e thereby acknowledge the goodness of her claims ; and, as soon as the acknowledgment is made, all Texas, and part of Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and most of New Mexico, will be ours. The influence of the tempter was in no degree lessened by a little common- place cant about the duty of avoiding all suspicion of acting from interested motives. It was now obvious that, as * Ex. Documents Vol. 2. 24 Concr. 2 Sess.
Texas could not be purchased, and as Mexico would pro- bably not be provoked into war, the acknowledgment of Texan independence was a necessary preliminary to an- nexation. But there was a powerful and vigilant hostihty at the North against every measure leading to the acqui- sition of more slave territory. Pains were, therefore, taken first to weaken this opposition by consideratipns of personal and party interest, and, secondly, to lull its ap- prehensions by false and deceptive suggestions