she would hold out the proffer of discriminating duties in trade and commerce in order to secure the necessary assistance.  Whatever step she might adopt looking to this object would prove disastrous in the highest degree to the interests of the whole Union.  To say nothing of the impolicy of our permitting the carrying trade and home market of such a country to pass out of our hands into those of a commercial rival, the Government, in the first place, would be certain to suffer most disastrously in its revenue by the introduction of a system of smuggling upon an extensive scale, which an army of custom-house officers could not prevent, and which would operate to affect injuriously the interests of all the industrial classes of this country.  Hence would arise constant collisions between the inhabitants of the two countries, which would evermore endanger their peace.  A large increase of the military force of the United States would inevitably follow, thus devolving upon the people new and extraordinary burdens in order not only to protect them from the danger of daily collision with Texas herself, but to guard their border inhabitants against hostile inroads, so easily excited on the part of the numerous and warlike tribes of Indians dwelling in their neighborhood.  Texas would undoubtedly be unable for many years to come, if at any time, to resist unaided and alone the military power of the United States; but it is not extravagant to suppose that nations reaping a rich harvest from her trade, secured to them by advantageous treaties, would be induced to take part with her in any conflict with us, from the strongest considerations of public policy.  Such a state of things might subject to devastation the territory of contiguous States, and would cost the country in a single campaign more treasure, thrice told over, than is stipulated to be paid and reimbursed by the treaty now proposed for ratification.  I will not permit myself to dwell on this view of the subject.  Consequences of a fatal character to the peace of the Union, and even to the preservation of the Union itself, might be dwelt upon.  They will not, however, fail to occur to the mind of the Senate and of the country.  Nor do I indulge in any vague conjectures of the future.  The documents now transmitted along with the treaty lead to the conclusion, as inevitable, that if the boon now tendered be rejected Texas will seek for the friendship of others.  In contemplating such a contingency it can not be overlooked that the United States are already almost surrounded by the possessions of European powers.  The Canadas, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the islands in the American seas, with Texas trammeled by treaties of alliance or of a commercial character differing in policy from that of the United States, would complete the circle.  Texas voluntarily steps forth, upon terms of perfect honor and good faith to all nations, to ask to be annexed to the Union.  As an independent sovereignty