Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-12-20
TEXAS-DIPLOMATIC CORRESPOND
ENCE

Mr. Calhoun Is the master-spirlt of the AnneXa
ton scheme, or rather of the Slavocracy. He has
been exceedingly industrious for the last year, in
diplomatic agents IN Texas, Mexico and France
The entire correspondence would fill several num-
bers of our paper and we cannot therefore think
of publishing it. Mr.. Calhouns letter to the Brit
ish minister last spring, when the Texas treaty was
formed, contained the key to the whole matter, so
far as this country is concerned. The key-word is
Slavery. To prevent the sboliton.of slavery in
Texas, and consequently in the United States, was
the object of annexation most distinctly avowed by
the Secretary of State on that occasion; and it
was justified by him on the ground of humanity to
the slave-because, for Doth, by cgregious blum
ders in the U. S. census of 1910, or by fasIiica
ton, it is proved that there more unatcs among
free blacks than among slaves Such was the ex-
cusc made TO England; and the more recent in
struclions 10 our Minister in France varied from
this ground only so far as the different interests of
the two countries required. In that DESPATCH the
same object, wiz. the defence of slavery) is avow
ed, and on the same ground of humanity !! but then
Mr.. Calhoun proceeds to add another argument for
the ear Of Louis Philippe, which would not sound
quite so well if addressed to Queen Victoria. That
argument is briefly this: Englands political and
commercial preponderance depends on her tropical
possessions she believed that free labor would in
crease the productions of those regions and there
fore she abolished slavery in her w. |. Islands, in
this, however, she was cgrcgiousy disappointed
and now she aims to maintain her preponderance
by breaking down slavery in all other countries, SO
as to reduce them all TO the level of free labor with
herself This letter had been drawn from Mr.
Calhoun by the ayowal of the King of France
that in no event would any steps be taken by his
government in the slightest degree hostile, or which
would give to the United States just cause of com
plant = and Mr.. C's object is to induce France
least to remain neutral on this Texas question, i
not to array herself against England.
SO far the correspondence is important or inter
esting only proving that the preservation of thu
system Of Slavery is the root Of the whole matter
and of course that the different motives urged b,
politicians particularly uron the free States, are ut
terly hypocriticOl. This is so distinctly stated il
one of the official letters of the U s. Charge t.
Mexico, that we give the substance Of it, and o
, the Mexican minister's reply:
In Mr.. Green's first letter. announcing that tn
Texas treaty was signed, dated May 49, 1874, h
= states that the annexation of Texas "was force
upon the Government of the United States, in sell
D defence, III consequence of the policy adopted b
Great Britain in reference TO the abolition of slave
ny in Texas" and that the Government Of the Uni
ted States took this step the only certain and eft
fectuul means of preventing it," (the abolition c
!, Slavery So it appears after all that Annexation
was not intended "to enlarge the area OF freedom
but to hinder such enlargement. lie farther state
that this step taken in full view of all possibl
a consequences, with hope, however, for "contlnu
r. ance OF peace" He states also that the boundar
n of Texas is left by the Treaty without speciicu
ton, to be fairly and fully discussed
: TO this Mr.. Bocanegra replies on The Both at gret
1t length, expressing his regret and surprise. TIL
act, he says "speaks for ITSELF and makes NANTES
= that in its exercise were forgotten the principle
;. which always protect governments and men in the
> relations, in their compacts and generally in the
u actions" lie states that Mr. Green's letter give
y evidence that other principle actuated the CO.
n eminent Of the United States than its security
gainst the abolition Of slavery" this relic OF ba
> barous ages prescribed by philosophy and by ii
o, intelligence of the age" The reproach and Gel
IN sure Of nations ought to follow the doing of wron
e for such an object" the political apotheosis
usurpation" which as far as the Executive Of 4
United States held in check by the Senate has be-
able, has been consummated without consultlI
m Mexico. He also states that Mexico repeats h