Jones_Letter_231_51041

STATE OF DELAWARE.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, DOVER February 10, 1845.

SIR

Pursuant to a resolution of the General Assembly of this State, I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency a copy of the accompanying Resolutions.

With sentiments of respect, Your obedient servant, [T. Stockton?] Gov. of Delaware

To His Excellency The Governor of Tenessee

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met, That the annexation of the Republic or Province of Texas to the territory of the United States, either by treaty or by the joint action of both houses of Congress, would be unjustifiable in principle, dangerous as a precedent, and ultimately destructive to the harmonious union of these States.

Resolved, That the recognition of the independence of Texas by the United States, in accordance with the established law of nations, was arecognition of the government of Texas de facto only - determining no question of right at issue between the parties to the contest - leaving unimpaired the legitimate authority which Mexico possessed of reducing her revolting province to obedience, agreeably to the usage of civilized nations.

Resolved, That we deprecate the extension of our territory beyond its original limits, as tending to create sectional interests, and to forment sectional prejudices - capable of being justified only by the clearest evidence of extreme national necessity - but when, as in the annexation of Texas, that extension originates in mercenary motives, enures only to the pecuniary benefit of individuals, and is accomplished in utter disregard of the obligations of good faith, we respectfully but firmly protest against its consummation.

Resolved, That while we admit in the provisions of the constitution a solemn compact recognizing the legal existence of slavery as a domestic institution, subject only to the legislation of the several States in which it obtains, we nevertheless deprecate its studied extension and perpetuation, as mainfested in the annexation of Texas as hostile to the spirit of the Declaration of Independence - unworthy the aim and degrading to the character of an enlightened nation.

Resolved, That in our opinion the power to annex by treaty foreign territory to the original domain of the United States, is a power not contemplated by the constitution.

Resolved, That in our opinion the power to admit into this Union new States, not formed from the original territory of the United States, is not conferred on Congress by this constitution.

Resolved, That granteing the power of annexation, either by treaty or by the joint action of the two houses of Congress, yet in the deliberate judgement of this General Assembly, its exercise in opposition to the known wishes of a large portion of our countrymen, solemnly expressed, would be inconsistent with sound policy, and at variance with that spirit of harmony and mutual forbearance which should be studiously cultivated by the different members of our common family.

Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the President of the United States, to the Executive of each of the States, and to our Senators and Representative in Congress, with a desire that they lay the same before their respective houses.

W M. TEMPLE, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

JOSEPH MAULL, Speaker of the Senate.

Adopted at Dover, January 28, 1845.