The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-29
Mr.. Upshur TO Mr.. Everett,


this Government. So long Ms we were permitted 20
believe that the effort to abolish slavery was con-
fined 10 private individuals, actuated by sense OF
justice Or feeling Of philanthropy we Were com Cr
own people and the guarantee of our Constitution
and laws. AS domestic question. the Government
does not possess, and, II Is presumed, will never at.
tempt to exercise, any authority over it. But it
now wears different aspect. and presents itself IN
a much more formidable attitude There are ma
ny and strong reas ms for believing that the aboll
ton OF domestic slavery throughout the continent
and islands of America is leading object in the
present policy of England If that policy were con-
fined to her own dominions, we should have no
right TO complain. Although we had Just reason to
apprehend an evil influence from the example
which she set in the liberation of her West India
slaves, that was measure which she had perfect
right to adopt, and which, therefore, could not
other Powers. But if it be her purpose to extend
her policy to other countries, and to her infu-
ence to bring about state Of things calculated seri
ously to affect the institutions of nearly half the
States of our Union the duty which we owe, not
only to our interests, but to our independence and
dignity, demands prompt and decided counterac.
ton on our part.
The remark. Of Lord Brougham and Lord Aber.
deee, in the House of Lords, on the 18Th OF
August, as reported in the London Morning Chro-
nIcie OF the succeeding day, have attracted the
Presidents attention. They are reported as fol-
lows:-
"TExA..-In the House of Lords, on Friday, the
18th August, Lerd Brougham introduced the sub.
manner, as reported in the London Morning Chron-
lce OF the morning OF the 18th:
Lord Brongham said that seeing his noble friend
at the head Of the Foreign Department in his place
he wished to obtain some information from him
relative to State of great interest at the present
time, namely, Texas. That country was in
state Of independence, de facto, but its indepen-
dence had never been acknowledged by Mexico,
the State from which it was torn by the events OF
the revolution. He was aware that its indepen-
dence had been 70 far acknowledged by this coun-
try that we had treaty with II.
The Importance of Texas could not be underra-
ted Ii was country OF The greatest capabilities,
and was in extent fully as large az France: 1t pos
sessed soil Of the finest and most fertile character.
produce, and Its cmute was OF a most healthy
character. 1t had access TO the Gulf of Mexico,
through the river Mississippi. with which II COM
municated by means OF the Red river. The popu-
latlon Of the country was said to exceed 23OOCO,
but he had been assured by gentleman who came
from that country, and who was member OF the
same profession as himself that the whole popua-
exceed oO0OO; but he was grisved to learn that
not less than one fourth Of the population, 25,-
goo persons, were in state of slavery: This point
wished TO put to his noble friend. There was very
little or no slave trade carried on with Texas from
Africa, directly but large number Of slaves were
consequently being sent overland to that country
well adapted for white labor, and therefore for free
cultivation, still the people ot that country, by some
strange lnfatuation, or by some inordinate love Of
immediate gain, preferred slave labor to free labor
AS all access to the African slave market shut
out 10 them, their market for slaves was the Uni
ted States. from whence they obtained large sup
ply OF negro slaves. The market from whence
they obtained their supply of slaves were Georgia.
tie Carolinas, and Virginia, which States constant:
ly sent their surplus slave population, which would
otherwise be burden to them, to the Texan mar
ket. NO doubt II was true, as has been stated,
that they treated their slaves tOerably well, be-
cause they knew that il was for their interest to
rear them, as they had such profitable market ;
anxious for the abolition of slavery in Texas for
if it were abolished there, not only would that
country, be cultivated by free and white labor but
for the Texan market, the consequence would be,
that they would solve this great question in the
history Of the United States, for it must ultimately
end IN the abolition of slavery in Amenca He
clifton OF slavery in Texas, as he was convincrd
that It would ultimately end in the abolition OF
slavery. throughout the whole Of America. lie
knew that the Texans would do much, as regarded
the abolition of slavery, if Mexico could be ndu-
ced to recognize their independence It, therefore.
by our good Offices, we could get the Mexican
Government to acknowledge the independence of
Texas, he would suggest hope that it might ter;
inmate in the abolition Of slavery in Texas, and
ultimately the whole of the Southern States Of
America. The abolition of slavery in Texas must
put an end 10 one OF the most execrable crimes
(tor he would not designate it by the honorable
Of tratfic) that could disgrace people, uame-
ly, the rearing and breeding Of slaves or the being
engaged IN the sale of our fellow creatures. He
therefore hoped that his noble friend would have
no difficulty in letting him know whether he could
give any information as to the state of the negot-
atoms on this subject or as to the nature ct the
Instructions that had been given TO our minister in
that country. II the production of such documents
in the furnishing such information was not suitable
at the present moment, he would not press his no.
BILE friend bur ne had no doubt that his noble
f'iend could confirm his statement, and he trusted
that the Government would not lose any opportunl-
~ of pressing the subject, whenever they could do
so with hope Of success"
"The Earl of Aberdeen, in reply, said that he
could st ate that not only had this county acknow
l'dged the independence Of Texas, but so that we
had treaty OF commerce and treaty for the abo:
litlon Of the slave trade with that Power. lie did
not believe that there was any improvisation oil slaves
into Texas by sea, but II was true that there was
large importation OF slaves from the United States
in,0 that country. Immediately on the negotia-
tons being entered on with Texas, the utmost en-
deavors OF this country used to put end to
the war which prevented the full and entire recog
milton OF The independence of Texas by Mexico
Their endeavors had met with very great Difficult
ties; and he was enable to say that there was an
immediate prospect of obtaining the recognition of
the independence of Texas the part OF Mexico;
but II was with great pleasure that he was able 10
say that, probably, the first step to this had been
obtained, namely: that an armstlce had been es.
tybIshrd between the two powers; and he hoped
that this would lead to the absolute acknowledge
ment of the Independence OF Texas by Mexico
The armlstce was an important step tn obtain -
and he need hardly say that every effort on the
part of Her Majesty's Government would lead 10
III. result which was contemplated by his noble
Trend lie was sure that he need hardly say that
more anxious than himself TO the
abolition Of slavery in Texas and if he could not
consent to produce papers, or to give further infor-
nation, it did not arise from Indifference, but from
quite contrary reason. In the present state OF the
negotiations between the two countries IN queso
it would not contribute to the end they had in view
if he then expressed any opinion to the state of
those negotiations but he could assure his noble
friend that by means of urging the negotiations,
well as by every other means in their power, Her
Malesty's ministers would press this matter.
Lord f'rougham observed that nothing could be
more satisfactory than the statement of his noble
friend, which would be received with JOY by all
who were favorable TO the object of the anti slavery