Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-24

not interfere unduly or win an imPf"pei P'oi
Of authority, with either party (eei ,,
Gin order 10 insure the adoption OF such course. we
.b,u coun.el but we shall not seek to compel or IN
dulr control either party. So far as Great britain
concerned, provided other States act w,n equui 'of
be,r,nce those Governments will be July al Ioery
make their own unfettered arrangements WIN eacl
Other, both IN regard 10 Inc aoo'l''n - ' 49, -
all other points. ,.
The undersigned takes advantage this opportunity
"a rsnew 10 The honorable Mr. Calhoun the assurance
of his high consde ration. H. iASA hN'A"'
/ Hon. J. &. CALHoUs, &c.
i Nh Calhoun TO Mr.. Paekcnhdm.
i DEPARTMENT STATE, }
/ Washington, April %, 1874
The undersigned, Secretary of Stale OF the Unltee
Sates has the 10 acknowledge The receipt tht
answer which the Right Hon Mr.. Packenham, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoentiafy Of Hei
Britannia Majesty, was pleased To make 10 his note o.
the 18Th inst relating to the despatch OF Lo;d Aoer
deem Of which copy was left with the late secretary
of State, Mr.. Upshur by his request.
He regrets that Mr.. Packenham has follen 'nio an
error in surprising that the undersigned niented, by
introducing the statistical facts IN reference TO The
comparitye condition of the African in The
States of this Union where slavery has been abolished
and where II is still retained, with the Accompanying
| remarks was "to expound the subject Of sl9efy,
and TO "defcnd i, as II exists in the Un.ed States
| IL Mr. Packenham will have the goodness to recur
TO the of the undersigned, he will find, on re-
perusal that his intention IN introducing the dttaiis
instead of being that which he attributes TO him was
10 correct what The undersigned believed to Ia a
mscuncep ton on the part of Her Majesty's Govern
ment, as set forth in Lord Aberdeens despatch His
J,dshp seems TO be OF the impression, that he
objection of the United States not TO the policy
oil Great Britain in reference to ten, as avowed
by him. but TO the means which nigh. be resorted 10
for its accomplishments ard that if slavery should De
abolished in the United States, By the influence AID
cxert,ons of Great Britain, without using what he IS
pleased TO call secret" "uuduc means" il would re
an net Of humanity TO the African race, and IN Is
consequences would neither disturb the internal tran.
guilty Of the States where it exists "sicct tic
prosperity of the Union. The object Of tie undcrsign
in introducing the statistical information referred to- WIS
TO correct this IMPRESSION by showing from
facts drawn from unquesonabe sources that tho COT
don Of the African race in the States which had abr"
ished slavery far worse than in those which had no
and that Of course Great Britain could not con'umma';
in the United States what she 10 be- the object
her policy and constant exertions to effect throughout
The world without rendering the condition Of the African
race in the slaYcholding States much worse than il II,
and disturbing their internal tranquility and the pros
pery Of the Unon.'
That such was the intention Of the undersigned h.
hopes will be evden, Mr.. Packcnham rcpcrus:l
Of his note and not, he supposes to "cxpouud III,
subie Of sla,ery or TO defend il as il exists in III.
United States lie the solici,ous 10 corrcc
the error into which Mr. Packenham has fallen in Thu
the undersigned would be incompatible with the prime
pie which regulates the United States in their intercourse
with the rest of the world that is, 10 leave all othr
countries without interference OFT their part 10 regulate
their internal relations and concerns 10 each
other may best, ithout permitting any to inter
fere with theirs. He could not consistently with this
we-estabshed principle of their policy, permit any
question belonging exclusively 10 the internal relations
Of of the States Of this Union to be
brought into controversy between this and any fore gn
Cover, ment whatever.
The undersigned regrets that Mr.. Packenham should
entertain the impression that the Government of The
Unied States did appreciate at their full value the
explanations OF Her Mnlestys Government on the sub
jet Of it's policy reference to Texas He would re.
peat, what he had supposed had been explicitly stated
his note 10 MIR. Packenham, the assurance that this
Government fully appreciates the spirit Of franknes4
and good faith in which the explanations were furnish
cd If they have failed to allay the anxiety which il
had previously felt the subject TO which they re-
ertcd, It was because they were accompanied by an
avowa on the part OF Her Maesys Government, IN
ref, 10 the abolition of slavery generally, and &c
Texas particular, to defeat the object which
tn. explanations intended TO effect. II was nc,
possible for the President to hear with indifference The
avowa of pocy hostile in It's character and dali
gerous III its tendency 10 the domestic institutions OF
80 mnny States of this Union, and to the safety
and prosperity Of tho whole. Nor could he abstain
from declaring his regret at the ayowal, consIse MT?
With that frankness and sincerity which have char
ac!erized the conduct OF this Government IN It's inter
course with other countries
The United States, in concluding the treaty Of an
nexaton With Texas, not disposed TO shun any re-
bllity which may fairly attach to them account
OF the transaction. The measure was adopted with
the mutua consent and for the mutual and permanent
welfare of the two countries interested II was made
necessary in order TO preserve doc este institutions
placed under the guaranty Of their Icspective Constr
tu'ions nnd deemed essential 10 their safety and pros
perity.
Whether Grent Britain has the right according TO the
principles OF international law, to interfere with the do
mesc institutions Of either country be her motives or
means what they mny; or whether the avowa OF such
policy, and the exe,ons she has made 20
in Texas, do not justify both countries in adopting the
most effective measures 10 prevent IT, questions when
The United States willingly leave to the decision Of the c
vzed world They confidently rest tic appeal on the so
lid foundation that every country is The rIghu and eS
elusive Judge IT, what should be the relations, socia
civil, and POLITICAL between those who compose lis
population; and that other country under the plea OF
humanity or other motive, Inns any right whatever n
'ne:ere 18th its decision On this foundation rests the
peace and harmony Of the world
| The undersigned has again referred, in cnnformy
with the request of Mr.. Packenham, to the portion oil
Lord Aberdeen despatch to which he has pointed his
attention. with the view of rrbutng The inference OF
the President, that Great Britain has thro
her diplomacy, to effect TIE abolition of slavery in
Texas, by making it Of the conditions on which
Mexico should acknowledge her independence III is
constrained to say, careful perusal, TINT he
discover nothing IN it calculated in any degree TO
weaken The inference of the President. His Lord
ship avows that Great Britain wishes 10 slavery
abolished in Texas; that she would rejoice if the re-
cogntIon Of that country by the Mexican Govern
ment should be accompanied by an engagement on
The part of Texas do 50, end tha - feels il 10 he
her duty TO promote such a contamination. II 10
these emphatic declarations the fact be added, tina,
Great Britain, a. the very time they were made, was
| engaged in negotiating with the Mexican Govern
ment, in order obtain from it recognition Of the
independence of Texas and that she declined TO mite
with France and the United States, in ont effort
for that purpose, i, ia surely forced unfair in
ference 10 conclude without calling in The aid of other
evidence, that she usedl conducting it. all the legi
innate means of diplomacy, backed by her great niu-
ence, to effect an object, in the accomplishment Of
which she acknowledges she took SO deep interest,
and 10 which she obviously attached much impor-
lance Nor does the undersigned regard the declara-
tons Of Lord Aberdeen that Great Britain would net
interfere unduly, or with any improper assumption OF
authority, that she will counsel but seek to compel
unduly control either party, in any degree weak
ening the inference OF the President; does he
slider the remarks Of MIR. Pachenham denial of lis
truth.
The undersigned avails himself of the occasion TO
renew 10 Mr. Packenham the OF his distin-