Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-07

freedom alone, have never in treatment o them
made any difference between the slavehoiding and tree
States Of the Union. All are III our eyes, entitled, as
compone mt members Of the Union, equal political
spect favor, and lobearance, our part To that WISE
and Just policy shall continue to adhere; and the
Governments of the slavehodng States may be assured
that, although shall desst from those open aud
honest efforts which we have constantly made for pro-
curing the abolition OF slavery throughout the world
we shall neither openly secretly resort to any mea-
sures which tend to disturb their internal tranquil
lily, thereby 10 affect the prosperity Of the American
Union.
You will communicate this despatch TO the U 5. Sc
oretary Of State, and if he should desire it, you will
leave copy OF 1t With him.
| au, DC ABERDEEN.
Right Hon. RICHARD PAKENHAM, &c
ur. Calhoun 10 Mr.. Pakenham
DEPARTMENT STATE,
Washington, April l8, lo4a.
The undersigned, Secretary Of State OF the United
States has laid before the President the note OF the
Right Honorable Mr. Pakenham, Envoy Extraordlna-
ry and Minister Penipotent airy OF Her Bs',annc Ma
iesty, addressed u this Department on the 2o'h OF FED
ruary last together with The accompanying copy OF
despatch of Her Mastys principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs TO Mr. Pakenham Ia reply, the
undersigned is directed by the President to inform The
Right Honorable Mr.. Pake nham, that while he re-
CARDS with pleasure the dlsavowal Of Lord Aberdeen
OF any intention the part of Her Majestys Govern
ment "to TO any measures, either openly or Sc
crety which tend tn disturb the inernsl tranquil
lily of the slaveboldng States and thsieby affect the
tranquility of this Union, he at the same time re-
CARDS with deep the avowa Tor the rst time
made to this Government, ''tbat Great Britain desires
and constantly exertng herself 10 procure the gene
raj abolition of slavery throughout the world
So long as Great Britain confined her policy to the
abolition of slavery in her possesso and colo
MES other country had right to complain. Ii be-
longed to her exclusively to determine, according TO
her views Of policy whether it should be done or
not But when she goes beyond, and avows II as her
settled policy, and the object Of her constant exerions
abolish il throughout the world she makes II the du-
ty Of oil other countries, whose safety or prosperity
may be endangered by her policy 10 adopt such mea-
they may deem necessary for their protection
1t is with still deeper the President regards
the avowal of Lord Aberdeen Of the desire Of Great
Britain 10 slavery abolished in Texas; and as he in
fers is endeavoriug, through her diplomacy, to accom-
plish It, BY making The abolition of slavery one oil the
conditions on which Mexico should acknowledge her in.
dependence 1t has confirmed his previous impressions
the policy Of Great Britain in reference 10 Texas
and made it his duty to examine with much care and So
lctude what would be its effects the prosperity and
safety Of the United States should she succeed IN her
endcavors The investigation has resulted in the set
tied conviction that would be difficult for Texas in
her actual condition, TO resist what she descs without
surprising the influence and exertions of Great Britain
would be extended beyond the limits assigned BY Lord
Aberdeen, and that il Texas could not resist the con-
summation Of the object OF her desire, would endanger
both the safety and prosperity Of the Union. Under this
II 4
dera Government the common representative aid pro-
ector of the States of the uooa to ADOPT in seitde
fence the mos. eeca NECESSITIES o o state ~ orre tho
.un,rs this conviction. 1t is sufficient 10 say that
The consummaton Of the cd object of her wishes in
reference Texas would be followed by hostile feelings
and relations between that country and the United states
which could not fail pace her under the influence anu
control OF Great Britain That, from the geographical
position of Texas, would expose the weakest and most
vulnerable portion Of frontier to nroads aud place
in the power Of Great Britain the most efficient means
of eecIng in the neighborng States of this Union what
she TO be her desire TO do in all countries where
slavery exists To hazard consequences which would
be so dangerous the prosperity and safety oil THIS
Union without resorting 10 the most effective measures
TO prev cnt them would be- on the part OF the Federal
Government, an abandonment of the most solemn oo
cations imposed by the guarantee which the States, IN
adopting the CONSTITUTIONS entered into 10 protect each
other against whatever might endanger their safety
whether from without within Acting N obedience
TO this obligation which federal system of Go
verument rests the President directs 10 inform you
that treaty has been concluded between the United
States and Texas for the annexation Of the latter to the
former a part of its territory, which will be submit.
ted without delay 10 the Senate for its approval This
step has been taken the most eectual not the only
Of guarding against the threatened danger, and
securing their permanent peace and welfare.
1t is well known that Texas has long desired TO be
annexed to this Union: ha, her people, nt the time OF
the adoption of her Constitution, expressed, by an al
most unanimous vote, her desire 10 that effect; and
that she has ceased to desire il the most GER
tain means of promoting her safety and prosperity
The United States have heretofore declined to meet
her wishes but the time has arrived when they
longer refuse consistently with their swB secu
rty and peace, and the sacred obligation imposed by
their constitutional compact for mutual defence aud
protection Nor they any wny responsible for the
circumstances which have imposed .his obligation on
them. They had agency in bringing about The
state OF things which has terminated IN the separation
of Texas from Mexico 1t was the Spanish Govern
ment and Mexico hersel. which invited and offered
high induce ments TO our citizens to coon,ze Texas
That from the diversity of character, habits, religion,
and political opinions, necessarily led TO the Separa-
ton, without the interference of the u States in any
manner whatever. 1t ~ true, tho United States, ut
early period recognized the dependence Of Texas
but, in doing so, it is well known they had acted IN
conformity with established principle 10 recognise
the Government de faefo They bad previously acted
the principle in reference to Mexico herself,
and the other Governments which have risen on the
former domnions of SPAN this Continent
They are equally without responsibility for that state
of things, already advrttsd 10 as the immediate cause
of imposing them IN ssl:-deeEce, the obligation OF
adopting The measure they have. They remained pas
sive, 50 long the policy the part of Great Britain,
which has led to lis adoption, had no immediate bear
ing on their peace and safety. While they conceded TO
Great Britain The right of adopting whatever policy
she might deem b.s reference to the African
within her own possessions, they their part, clam
the same right for themselves The policy che has
adopted in reference The portion of that race, IN her
dominions may be humane and wise but II d'ss not
follow, il prove with her. that would be so ia re-
ference the Tn ted States and other countries whose
situation differs FROM hers. But. whether it would be
not it belongs to each 10 judge and determine for
itself With us, 1t question 10 be decided, not by
the Federal Government, bu: nv each member OF this
Union for itself, according its views at its do
mestic policy, and without any right on tn part 81
the Federal Government to interfere in any msnner
whatever. It's rights and duties limited to pro-
tectng under the guarantees Of the Constituion each
member Of this Union, in whatever policy It may
adopt in reference to The portion within lis respective
limits. large number Of the States has decided, iha,
it is neither wise nor humane 10 change the relation
which has existed, from their first settlement between
the two races while Others where the African is less
numerous, have adopted the opposite policy.
1t belongs not TO the Government 10 question whe-
Their The former have decided wisely no' and if did
The undersigned would not regard this the proper
cason 10 discuss the subject. He does not. however
deem il rreevsnt TO state. that if the experience Of