remains an independent state or becomes an ally or dependency of some
foreign nation more powerful than herself. Is there one among our
citizens who would not prefer perpetual peace with Texas to occasional
wars, which so often occur between bordering independent nations? Is
there one who would not prefer free intercourse with her to high duties
on all our products and manufactures which enter her ports or cross her
frontiers? Is there one who would not prefer an unrestricted
communication with her citizens to the frontier obstructions which must
occur if she remains out of the Union? Whatever is good or evil in the
local institutions of Texas will remain her own whether annexed to the
United States or not. None of the present States will be responsible
for them any more than they are for the local institutions of each
other. They have confederated together for certain specified objects.
Upon the same principle that they would refuse to form a perpetual
union with Texas because of her local institutions our forefathers
would have been prevented from forming our present Union. Perceiving no
valid objection to the measure and many reasons for its adoption
vitally affecting the peace, the safety, and the prosperity of both
countries, I shall on the broad principle which formed the basis and
produced the adoption of our Constitution, and not in any narrow spirit
of sectional policy, endeavor by all constitutional, honorable, and
appropriate means to consummate the expressed will of the people and
Government of the United States by the reannexation of Texas to our
Union at the earliest practicable period.

Nor will it become in a less degree my duty to assert and maintain by
all constitutional means the right of the United States to that portion
of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky Mountains. Our title to
the country of the Oregon is "clear and unquestionable," and already
are our people preparing to perfect that title by occupying it with