State of the Union Address eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 247 pages of information about State of the Union Address.

State of the Union Address eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 247 pages of information about State of the Union Address.

In pursuance of the joint resolution of Congress “for annexing Texas to the United States,” my predecessor, on the 3d day of March, 1845, elected to submit the first and second sections of that resolution to the Republic of Texas as an overture on the part of the United States for her admission as a State into our Union.  This election I approved, and accordingly the charge d’affaires of the United States in Texas, under instructions of the 10th of March, 1845, presented these sections of the resolution for the acceptance of that Republic.  The executive government, the Congress, and the people of Texas in convention have successively complied with all the terms and conditions of the joint resolution.  A constitution for the government of the State of Texas, formed by a convention of deputies, is herewith laid before Congress.  It is well known, also, that the people of Texas at the polls have accepted the terms of annexation and ratified the constitution.  I communicate to Congress the correspondence between the Secretary of State and our charge d’affaires in Texas, and also the correspondence of the latter with the authorities of Texas, together with the official documents transmitted by him to his own Government.  The terms of annexation which were offered by the United States having been accepted by Texas, the public faith of both parties is solemnly pledged to the compact of their union.  Nothing remains to consummate the event but the passage of an act by Congress to admit the State of Texas into the Union upon an equal footing with the original States.  Strong reasons exist why this should be done at an early period of the session.  It will be observed that by the constitution of Texas the existing government is only continued temporarily till Congress can act, and that the third Monday of the present month is the day appointed for holding the first general election.  On that day a governor, a lieutenant-governor, and both branches of the legislature will be chosen by the people.  The President of Texas is required, immediately after the receipt of official information that the new State has been admitted into our Union by Congress, to convene the legislature, and upon its meeting the existing government will be superseded and the State government organized.  Questions deeply interesting to Texas, in common with the other States, the extension of our revenue laws and judicial system over her people and territory, as well as measures of a local character, will claim the early attention of Congress, and therefore upon every principle of republican government she ought to be represented in that body without unnecessary delay.  I can not too earnestly recommend prompt action on this important subject.  As soon as the act to admit Texas as a State shall be passed the union of the two Republics will be consummated by their own voluntary consent.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
State of the Union Address from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.