The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-21
GREAT BRITAIN AND TEXAS.

| the British Government from the imputaon Of sci
fish or sinister designs, in its perseverng and system
attic agitation of the subject Of negro slavery, that il
is philanihropic movement forced on the Govern
ment by public opinion at home. This may appear
credible to those who unacquainted with the con-
stitution of that Governments but to those who are
| aware of is strength, and the and impunity
with which it may disregard ihwart any mani es-
taton of popular opinion adverse to its designs or
lis settled policy, the idea is preposterous The alb
surdty of it will be obvious TO those who reflect how
little influence the feelings and opinions of the Peo-
pie of Great Britain the subject Of their restric
tive sys,em-a matter of immed ate and vital impor-
| lance 10 the populatiop-has had upon the policy Of
| heir Government.
| That there is strong, and even morbid feeling in
Great Britain the subject of negro slavery is unde
nable II originated in the arocious extent TO which
British subjects, under the active encouragement Of
their Governmen pushed the traffic in slaves. Both in
the theory and practice Of sayetradng, Great Britain
at time outstriped all other nations No where has
the traffic 10 slaves been ably and eoquenty defend
ed, on the ground both of expedency and morality,
| as in the Parliament of Great Britain, 10y some OF
the most renov ned statesmen which that country has
|
! pets and fayortes of the Government. Our country
is indebted to them for the cufse-if curse it is TO
prove, of negro slavery. The traffic a most
| profitable Of national and individual wealth
and it has been said of one Of the largest CONNER
cial cities Of Great Britain OF the world Liver
pool that there not stone in all It's walls but
what was cemented by the blood Of Africans"
| So long the trade continued lucrative, or coin
cided with the policy of the Government, no difficult
~ found in resisting the force of opinion among
the mass of the People, and among the pious and
philanhropic, though at one time quite much ex-
citement prevailed on the subject as has ever been
displayed since But now that the policy of the Co
vernment has changed, it willingly accepts Of
an auxiliary, and uses apology that manifesto
ton OF public opinion which it formerly resisted
with ease, and desPised.
1t is indeed a matter Of little Importance to us
what the motive or impulse Of the British Govern
ment may be, so long IT is fact that on this ques
ton Of slavery it has placed itself in hostile at
tude towards us. We have right 10 consult our
own safety, and leave that Government TO adjust the
matter with its philanhropiss and fanatics it best
can But the policy which it has pursued has been
marked with far greater degree of zeal and perse-
verance, well as Of craft, than would have been
the case, had il been adopted merely to appease the
cravings of morbid philanthropy among portion
of its subjects. We shall now allude merely to one
instance in proof Of this
In the year 1889, distinguished member Of the
British House of Commons, conspicuous for his zeal
the subject Of negro slavery, gave notice in Par
lament of his intention 10 move TO obtain " an asy
um, free State the north frontier Of Nerieo, for
free persons Of COLOR Where he considered the
north frontier of Mexico 10 be, at that time, and
why i, was selected, does not appear but certainly
whether the rights Of Texas, which had declared itself
independent, to be respected not, location
for such a colony could not have been chosen more
uniasorable 10 our interests, more favorable TO
hostile designs which the British Government might
secretly cherish sgains, US This i. the first ndica-
ton which appears Of the views Of the British Gov
ernmtnt on Texas.
The design no doubt abandoned in conse
quence Of the determination Of the British Govern
meut to recognise the independence Of Texas; de-
termination which filled every one with surprise, for
here was every apparent reason 10 believe that Great
! Brita n, under all the circumstances would have
been OF the last Of nations 10 acknowled il,
Independence. II was a save-holding State. and
therefore, the popular feeling in Great Britain, hich
has been represented powerful, would be
strongly adverse to IT. The commerce of TEXAS
could be no object for many years TO come and the
country was ooked upon as cur natural ally likely
TO become identified in every way with the United
States, and a part and parcel Of the Southern and
obnoxious division Of them. But the policy of the
British Government does not lie so near the surface
1t was well aware that Texas, as a province Of Mex
leo, could not subserye its purposes. II was well
aware that our Government, in conformity with
/ ts wellknown public declaration, would regard
/ as a bellgetent act, any attempt on the part Of
European Government to acquire new col nv
on our Continent, and in our vicinity, whether
for the phanthropc purpose Of establishing an asy.
um for free persons Of color, or for any other pur
pose. Texas, therefore as part Of Mexico. could
not peaceably come into the possession, or under the
controlling influence, Of Great Britain but detacb
ed from Mexico, and recognised as an independent
State, her Government might be worked upon. and
her popuao become alienated from the citizens Of
he United States, by show Of friendship and par
TALLY from the powerful Government Of Great Bri.
tam. From natural ally Of the Southern portion.
at least, Of the United States, she might by an adrot
policy aided by the jealousies and disputes likely
soon TO arise between conterminous independent
| Sttes, be converted into an enemy Hence the do
termination to recognise slaveholding province.
peoped and conquered by citizens from our slave
holding States and hence the subsequent and con-
slant interference, and show Of interest, by Great
Britain in the affairs Of Texas until at length her
object was plainly and explicitly avowed on the floor
Of Parliament, in the declaration that through Tex
as the British Government is to sore nat great aus
lion in The history Of the United States The abolition If
slavery"