will be seen that this is not the plain case of restraining our citizens, from arming and organizing, in our territory in order to invade a nation at peace with us, which many persons suppose it to be. Let the result of the contest be what it may, nothing can prevent us from being involved in it, but a complete revolution in Mexico, or a purchase by our government of Texas. For my part, I have very serious objections to the extension of our territory, and think it probable, that this is the case with a great majority of the people of the United States; and it is by no means certain, that the Republic of Texas wiU agree to the arrangement. On the score of the boundary, the acquisition of a part of Texas, is highly desirable; but the statesman both of the United States and Mexico, would discover serious objections to an independent republic interposed between them. Great Britain I think would be in favor of it; a free port at Galveston, consequently an immense depot of merchandize for ulterior distribution, would extend the field of her commerce. But my objection to the connexion, arises from looking forward to the duration of our confederacy, and l fear our territory is already too extensive. This is daily becoming more obvious from the corruptions almost unavoid- ably arising out of the magnitude and variety of interests intrustcd to the general government; the vast amount of its revenues; the number and importance of public trusts; the discipline of party, which requires the "hireling" to support the master, and the master to sustain the "hireling;" and from the difficulty of bringing home to the great mass of the people a sufficient knowledge of their public affairs, and of the acts of the public agents, without which the grossest abuses may escape detection. I have been forcibly struck with the objections made by a gentleman of London, Mr. R. Jackson, to the plan proposed by Dr. Franklin in 1751 (20 years before the revolution) for a general government of the Colonies, with a President and Legislative body al Albany, in your State, Mr. Jackson observes, "that small states always best preserve their manners. -Whether this happens from the greater room there is for allention in the Legislature, or from the less room there is for ambition and avarice, it is a strong argument among others, against incorporating union of the colonies of America, or even a federal one, that may tend to the future reducing them under one government." The plan of Dr. Franklin, was probably the origin of our present federal compact, which has enabled us Lo avoid so many evils, and which has advanced the prosperity of our country with such rapidity; but it is ali-;o the cause of those stupendous corruptions, and usurpations, which have brou~ht upon us some of
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