Washington City

May 29th 1844

My Dr Genl

Mr Choate in his speech

in opposition to the ratification of the

Treaty last week took the position that by

ratifying the Treaty they would be giving to

the President & Senate power to declare or

at least adopt a war inasmuch as Texas and

Mexico is still at war &c and said that the

only legal and proper way to annex Texas under

the circumstances would be to do it by joint

action of both houses of Congress. Mr. Mc-

Duffie immediately introduced a joint reso-

lution to annex Texas, adopting the Treaty

as the terms upon which Texas is to come

in. The resolutions were offered in secret

ession but it is said they are of the character

above stated. Most of our good friends think

they will pass but I must say I cannot think

so as they to pass must get all of the democrats

and four Whig votes in the Senate. Benton

& his four followers it is said will vote for

the resolutions. They may do so and probably