The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-03-26

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of Texas, conteuplatss views u creating upon GU
South Wes,ern Scatter free Republic, consisting 2
population cemposed Of the smancpated Slaves g
Texas and an nppoSsd population Of the Nspas
Of The Bri ish West ladies and the psnpsrs ~ Eu
rope. Ibis 10 70 conseituie the entering Wedle b
which EaeIand s1pects to rend in twain dis Union
i said thai England looks upon the vass territory
Texas and It's rich SOIL p, rfectly adequate to thu
production OF all the cotton consumed ia the work
shops OF Europe.
With view Of striking death blow at the grea
agricultural interests OF the Southern States ant
placing herself IN position to destroy the institution
OF slavery a. existing in this portion Of the Union
The idea seems to have taken deep hold upon tn.
public mind, that such indeed the consideration
which Influence the British Government in its
sures of policy towards the infant Republic IfGrea
Britain really INDUCES project Of this kind, and can
succse ed In accomplishing her designs upon Texas in
this matter, requires vision of prophecy to pre-
dict what would be the disastrous and fatal results
which would ensue to the commercial, agricultural
and manufacturing interests of country and its
| political institutions.
Looking at the subject in this point of light, l
think it important that il should now be clearly I'M
derstood what is the we'll indicated public sentiment
of the people of Texas in view Of what they believe
to DO the determined policy of England to-
wards their Government. Hence it is that have
| thought you would be interested to know what the
convictions of my mind were, as to what that public
|
servations obtained by official position which has
| enabled me to have frequent interviews with many
Of the citizens Of that Republic, which have ia
ken occasion freely frankly, and socially obtain
direct information of their views feelings, opinions,
interests, and determination in view of the alterna-
tive which England and the United States, by their
respective systems of National policy towards their
| country, would most probably present TO them for
their choice and ultimate d. cison. Having ascer-
tanned, as think, what their determination is, and
I'm Oh A.
| stances they must and will contingently embrace,
and which, in the event that England is enabled to
succeed in her designs upon the government and ter
rory OF Texas will inevitably result in the most fa-
tai consequences to this country, cannot but feel
deeply socitous respecting the result of this great
question, beleyinga as l do, that contingency may
arise which will put in jeopardy the preservation Of
our Constitution and the integrity of this Uhion.--
Without further preliminary remark, shall proceed
to give you my views of the proper light in which to
look upon Texas, and the influences most likely to
guide that people, which, in my humble estimation,
cannot be too deeply fixed in the public mlnd-
There is no such feeling in Texas as patriotism, or
lone Of country associated either with its soil gov
ernmsnt. That whole feeling is attached to their ma
| tive country, the Government Of the United States
The consequence u.s. and the result this political posu
late hat the people of Texas will be unanimous in
their wish and desire to be annexed to the United
States. The second result, and one which will be
equally sure to follow, is that if the Government of
the United States refuse the annexation of Texas
then the people, because they have lone Of country
$50 lar as Texas is cOncerned) will be- ready and
willing to sell our government, soil, possession and
interest, for a valuable consideration, which they
will put 10 their pockets, and return to their native
country. | have talked with hundreds of the most
influential, intelligent, and substantial citizens Of
Texas on this subject. They say that they must be
annexed to the United States, that they will have
to sell out to any government who will pay the most
that they are satisfied they cannot live under gov
eminent so pOwerless and weak as the government
OF Texas must necessarily be for many years, and
which affords so little protection to life and property
That their government is mere government of suf-
ferance and the little strength it possesses is the re-
suit of the love of good order among the people,
Their than moral influence political power which
the Government has to enforce its own laws" The
people OF Texas universally have the heart ache to be
annexed to the United States, and to feel that they
are once more citizens Of its soil And if this
not be done, to crafty that feeling OF patriotism
dear to the heart of man. and which in the breast of
one born in the United States, is only associated
with, and cannot be separated from his native
try, they will sell out put the svails Of their proper
ty IN their pockets and return. This feeling is so
unanimous to BE- national and rest assured that the
people of Texas, in case they cannot be annexed to
the United States, ciu accept tsys from Great Bri
tam, sell out their slaves and plantations, and return
TO the United States. British influence has been
busy all over Texas, visiting every log cabin, and
telling the people of 'the great benefits Of free trade
with England, the protection which that government
would give to their property, the rapid settlement Of
their country by free white population immigrating
from Europe, the consequent rise of their property
the influx OF wealth and capital and last but not least
the large price which the phanthropc associations Of
England would be willing to give for their slares on
condition of their emancipation and the adjustment
Of slavery for ever in the Republic" These ipfuen-
ces and these representations have had their effect
with the people of Texas, and have given England a
irh Ito
the part OF the United States to Texas to this
country, TO render this position primary and British
influence paramount. The people Of Texas under
stand the strength of the position they occupy.
They can now say to the Government Of the United
States anner u, 10 you, annex ourselves to
Great Britain )" or what is tantamount to the same
thing sell out to Great Britain, and let her import
population who will be willing 10 live under her pro-
lection. Thus would peaceaby be accomplished the
designs which Great Britain has upon the soil, terri
tory, and Government of Texas.
The views which ] have taken of the influences
which are most likely to act upon the people Of Tex
as, will probably be considered by some az profile
matical Re this as il may, have presented them as
have received them from the lips Of citizens of
Texas-men Of influence and intelligence, and lead
ing minds As such offer them to you, believing as
do that il is important that there should be no mis-
conception of what really is the public opinion and
public will of the people of Texas on this subject -
Though this communication is extending itself to con-
siderable length yet cannot forbear gIancing briefly
at the interests of the United States likely to be al
feced favoraby unfavorably by the course of the
ultimate decision had in this case To those pracl-
cally acquainted with the effect which the abolition
of slavery in Texas would have upon the institution
Of slavery as existing in the South there can remain
but one opinion. With the South it is question of
seEpreserraion. If the alton of Texas to the
Union becomes necessary to prevent the erection of
Texas into q non-slave-holding Republic, then the
whole Of the southern and. southwestern slavehold-
ing States will demand the annexation, at whatever
sacrifice or cost nwar is the price, that price must
be paid; aarery must continue 10 eria in Teras or
10 erist in the United Stairs Let slavery be abo
lshed in Texas, and its perpetuity be guaranteed by
the power Of England and the in mediate consequence
would be to depopulate Louisiana, Arkansas, and
Mississippi The bloody scenes of a 81 rviIe insur-