Daily Richmond Whig

From the National Intelligencer of Sept. 14.

A Splendid Project. It is scarcely two months ago, that, by a casual leak in one of the depositories of Cabinet confidence, the Public received information of the proposed negociation with Great Britain, for a reciprocation of duties upon the trade between the two countries. It was thus, by accident only, that the People became acquainted with a proposed measure of the Government, of deep consequence to the essential interests of the country.

It is scarcely four weeks since we discovered the first indications of a disposition existing any where to obtain a cession of the Province of Texas. Three days ago, it was yet matter of doubt whether the Administration was engaged in this purpose, or whether the publications on the subject were the result of a systematic plan for engaging the Administration to make the purchase under an idea that public opinion demanded it. It is no longer doubtful, if we read aright the Sibyl's leaf, whether this measure has or has not the countenance of the Administration.

In the Richmond Enquirer, of Saturday last, we find the following pregnant notice of certain publications favoring the purchase of Texas:

"We hazard very little in asserting, that when the facts come out, this Administration will be found equally vigilant in watching over the Southwestern border of our country. We have so much confidence in the sagacity and good sense, which now presides over the Government, that we shall not be surprised to see, from the public Documents, what prompt attention has been paid to the situation of Mexico. It will be seen by the latest intelligence which was received by last Evening, how much the invasion of that Republic has attracted the notice of the British Government Has our own Administration been less upon the alert? The Statesmen who are at the head of our affairs, are not the men we take them to be, if they have not already pursued the proper steps for obtaining the Cession of Texas, even before the able Nos. of Americanus saw the light. But, nous verrons!"

What pliant "confidence" this print has, all at once in the sagacity, good sense, &c. 'of those who are at the head of affairs! But that we have just now more interesting inductions to make, this little paragraph would serve as a text for a chapter, as long as one of Governor Giles' Reminiscences, upon the sublime of consistency.

Nous verrons!" says the Enquirer. It might not truly have said nous avons vu—we have seen, instead of we shall see, we should have had none of its foregone conclusions concerning the acquisition of Texas. What is there, in the present posture of affairs, that should have inspired the Enquirer, all of a sudden, with so furious a desire to obtain possession of Texas? What influence is it, but that of some guardian genius, which guides the Enquirer's surmises in that direction? What is it but information of the fact, that induces the Enquirer to suppose that the Administration has "already pursued the proper steps for obtaining the cession of Texas?" We have no authority but conjecture for what we are about to say; but we have a right to put our own interpretation upon the general incidents relating to this matter which have attracted our attention. And in the exercise of this right, we feel warranted in suggesting, as our belief (which our readers must take for what it is worth) that it has been determined. by the Executive, to obtain possession, by purchase from Mexico, of the Province of Texas, containing a domain, of something like three hundred thousand square miles West of the Western line of Louisiana; and that the Instructions for the accomplishment of this object are in a course of preparation, if they have not already gone forth. Few persons, probably, are in the secret of this determination. If otherwise, the rest of those who are in possession of it have guarded it with more discretion than the Editor of the Enquirer, or we should have heard of it sooner.

We shall not, as we have before said, without due deliberation, pronounce upon the merit of this measure, respecting which the most upright and intelligent statesmen may well differ in opinion. But it is
Due to the whole People that they should be apprised of a measure fraught with so momentous consequences, whether for good or evil, to the welfare (rather future, however, than present) of this Republic. In due time, we suppose we shall know the immediate inducements to this measure. Meanwhile, we do not hesitate to say that the recent invasion of Mexico does not furnish the key to it, however much that invasion may have "attracted the notice of the British Government," as the Enquirer sagely suggests.

We give credit to the Executive for more sagacity than is implied by imputing to it a belief that Texas is in any danger of falling again into the possession of Spain, and must therefore be bought by the United States from Mexico. If we mistake not, the policy of this determination to acquire Texas lies much deeper than any transient occurrence past or anticipated, and is much older than this Administration. Perhaps, a closer view of the history and general aspect of the disclosures on this subject may lead us to a clearer comprehension of its bearings.

On another day, we will, with what dim light we have, at least make the experiment. It is venturing enough, for one day, to announce, upon mere inference, a fact so important as that which we have suggested to our readers.