thought the present might be an auspicious period for urging a negotiation at Mexico, to settle the boundary of the two Republics.' 'If we could obtain such a boundary as we desire, the government of the United States might be disposed to pay a reasonable pecuniary compensation. The boundary we prefer is that, which beginning at the mouth of the Rio del Norte in the sea, shall ascend that river to the mouth of the Rio Puerco, thence ascending this river to its source, and from its source by a line due north to strike the Arkansas, thence, following the southern bank of the Arkansas to its source, in latitude 42° north; and thence by that parallel of latitude to the South sea.' And he adds, the treaty may provide for the incorporation of the inhabitants into the Union.'

"Mr. Van Buren, in his letter, as secretary of state, to our minister at Mexico, dated August 25, 1829, says, 'It is the wish of the president that you should, without delay, open a negotiation with the Mexican government, for the purchase of so much of the province of Texas, as is hereinafter described.' 'He is induced by a deep conviction of the real necessity of the proposed acquisition, not only as a guard for our western frontier, and the protection of New Orleans, but also to secure forever to the inhabitants of the valley of the Mississippi, the undisputed and undisturbed possession of the navigation of that river.' 'The territory, of which a cession is desired by the United States, is all that part of the province of Texas which lies east of a line beginning at the Gulf of Mexico, in the centre of the desert, or grand prairie, which lies west of the Rio Nueces.' And Mr. Van Buren adds, the treaty may provide 'for the incorporation of the inhabitants into the Union.' And he then enters into a long and powerful argument of his own, in favor of the reacquisition of Texas.

"On the 20th of March, 1833, Gen. Jackson, through Mr. Livingston, as secretary of state, renews to our minister at Mexico, the former instructions on the subject of the proposed cession.' On the 2d of July, 1835, General Jackson, through Mr. Forsyth, as secretary of state, renews the instructions to obtain the cession of Texas, and expresses' an anxious desire to secure the very desirable alteration in our boundary with Mexico.' On the 6th of August, 1835, General Jackson, through Mr. Forsyth, as secretary of state, directs our minister at Mexico to endeavor to procure for us, from that government, the following boundary, ‘beginning at the Gulf of Mexico, proceeding along the eastern bank of the river Rio Bravo del

Norte, to the 37th parallel of latitude, and thence along that parallel to the Pacific.' This noble and glorious proposition of General Jackson would have secured to us not only the whole of Texas, but also the largest and most valuable portion of upper California, together with the bay and harbor of San Francisco, the best on the western coast of America, and equal to any in the world. If, then, it was deemed, as it is clearly proved, most desirable to obtain the reannexation of Texas, down to a period as late as August, 1835, is it less important at this period?"

Begun and held at the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia, on Monday, the second day of December, eighteen hundred and forty-four.

JOINT RESOLUTION FOR ANNEXING TEXAS TO THE UNITED STATES.

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress doth consent that the territory properly included within, and rightfully belonging to, the republic of Texas, may be erected into a new State, to be called the State of Texas, with a republican form of government, to be adopted by the people of said republic, by deputies in convention assembled, with the consent of the existing government, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the States of this Union.

"2. And be it further resolved, That the foregoing consent of Congress is given upon the following conditions, and with the following guaranties, to wit: First. Said State to be formed, subject to the adjustment by this government of all questions of boundary that may arise with other governments; and the constitution thereof, with the proper evidence of its adoption by the people of said republic of Texas, shall be transmitted to the president of the United States, to be laid before Congress for its final action on or before the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six. Second. Said State, when admitted into the Union, after

ceding to the United States all public edifices, fortifications, barracks, ports and harbors, navy and navy-yards, docks, magazines, arms, armaments, and all other property and means pertaining to the public defence belonging to said republic of Texas, shall retain all the public funds, debts, taxes, and dues of every kind, which may belong to or be due and owing said republic; and shall also retain all the vacant and unappropriated lands lying within its limits, to be applied to the payment of the debts and liabilities of said republic of Texas, and the residue of said lands, after discharging said debts and liabilities, to be disposed of as said State may direct; but in no event are said debts and liabilities to become a charge upon the government of the United States. Third. New States, of convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas, and having sufficient population, may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the federal constitution. And such States as may be formed out of that portion of said territory lying south of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, commonly known as the Missouri compromise line, shall be admitted into the Union, with or without slavery, as the people of each State asking admission may desire. And in such State or States as shall be formed out of said territory, north of said Missouri compromise line, slavery or involuntary servitude, (except for crime,) shall be prohibited.

“3. And be it further resolved, That if the president of the United States shall, in his judgment and discretion, deem it most advisable, instead of proceeding to submit the foregoing resolution to the republic of Texas, as an overture on the part of the United States for admission, to negotiate with that republic — then, Be it resolved, That a State, to be formed out of the present republic of Texas, with suitable extent and boundaries, and with two representatives in Congress, until the next apportionment of representation, shall be admitted into the Union, by virtue of this act, on an equal footing with the existing States, as soon as the terms and conditions of such admission, and the cession of the remaining Texan territory to the United States, shall be agreed upon by the governments of Texas and the United States; and that the sum of one hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated to defray the expenses of missions and negotiations, to agree upon the terms of said admission and cession, either by treaty to be

submitted to the senate, or by articles to be submitted to the two houses of Congress, as the president may direct.

Giving the Consent of the existing Government to the Annexation of Texas to the United States.

"Whereas, the government of the United States hath proposed the following terms, guaranties, and conditions on which the people and territory of the republic of Texas may be erected into a new State, to be called the State of Texas, and admitted as one of the States of the American Union, to wit:

[Here follow the two first sections of the joint resolution of the Congress of the United States.]

"And whereas, by said terms, the consent of the existing government of Texas is required; therefore,

"Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Texas in Congress assembled, That the government of Texas doth consent that the people and territory of the republic of Texas may be erected into a new State, to be called the State of Texas, with a republican form of government, to be adopted by the people of said republic by deputies in convention assembled, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the States of the American Union; and said consent is given on the terms, guaranties, and conditions set forth in the preamble to this joint resolution.

"SECT. 2. Be it further resolved, That the proclamation of the president of the republic of Texas, bearing date May fifth, eighteen hundred and forty-five, and the election of deputies to sit in convention at Austin on the fourth day of July next, for the adoption of a constitution for the State of Texas, had in accordance therewith, hereby receives the consent of the existing government of Texas.

"SECT. 3. Be it further resolved, That the president of Texas is hereby requested immediately to furnish the government of the United States, through their accredited minister near this govern

ment, with a copy of this joint resolution; also to furnish the convention to assemble at Austin on the 4th of July next a copy of the same; and the same shall take effect from and after its passage.

"JOHN M. LEWIS,

"Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"K. L. ANDERSON,

"Approved, June 23, 1845.

"President of the Senate.

"ANSON JONES."

"DEPARTMENT OF STATE, June 23, 1845.

“The undersigned, secretary of state of the republic of Texas, hereby certifies that the foregoing is a copy of the original joint resolutions on file in the archives of this office.

"[L. S.]

In testimony whereof, the official seal of the department is hereunto affixed.

"EBEN'R ALLEN."

AN ORDINANCE.

"Whereas, the Congress of the United States of America has passed resolutions providing for the annexation of Texas to that Union, which resolutions were approved by the president of the United States on the first day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five; and whereas the president of the United States has submitted to Texas the first and second sections of the said resolution, as the basis upon which Texas may be admitted as one of the States of the said Union; and whereas the existing government of the republic of Texas has assented to the proposals thus made, the terms and conditions of which are as follows:

[The two first sections of the joint resolution of the Congress of the United States are here quoted.]

"Now, in order to manifest the assent of the people of this republic, as required in the above recited portions of the said resolutions, we, the deputies of the people of Texas, in convention assembled, in their name, and by their authority, do ordain and declare, that we assent to and accept the proposals, conditions, and guaranties contained in the first and second sections of the resolution of the Congress of the United States aforesaid.

"THOMAS J. RUSK, President. “Phil. M. Curry, H. G. Runnels, Robert M. Forbes, Sam. Lusk, Jno. Caldwell, Jose Antonio Navarra, Geo. M. Brown, Gustavus A.