Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-06-08
r. PACKENIIAM.
Hon. ]. G. CALHOUN, &c.
Mr.. Calhoun to Mr.. PachenhGm.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, April 9Th, lS44.

The undersigned, Secretary of State OF
the United States, has the honor 10 ac-
knowledge the receipt of the answer
which the Right Hon. Mr.. Packenham,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary of Her Britannia Majesty, was
pleased to make to his note of the 18th
instant, relating to the despatch of Lord
Aberdeen, of which a copy was left with
the late Secretary of State, Mr.. Upshur,
by his request.
He regrets that Mr.. Packenham has
fallen INTO an error in suPposing that the
undersigned, by Introducing the statistical
facts ia reference to the comparative con-
dition Of the African race in the States of
this Union where slavery has been aboI-
ished and where it is still retained, with
the accompanying remarks, intended "to
expound the subject of slavery" and to
"delcnd it as it exists in the U. States"
If Mr.. Packenham will have the good
ness to recur to the note of the undersign-
ed, he VIII find, on a re-perusal, that his
intention in introducing the details, instead
of being that which he attributes to him,
was TO correct what the undersigned be-
leyed TO be misconception on the part
of Her Maiesty's Government, as set forth
in Lord Aberdeen's despatch. His Lord
ship seems 10 be Of the impression that
the objection of the United States was not
to the policy of Great Britain in relation
to abolition, as avowed by him, but to the
means which might be resorted to for IFS
accomplishment and that if slavery
should be abolished in the United States,
by the influence and exertions of Great
Britain, without using what he is pleased
10 call "secret" or "undue MEANS" il
would be an act of humanity to the Afrl.
can race, and in its consequences would
neither "disturb the internal tranquility Of
the States" where it exists, nor "aflect the
prosperity of the Union" The object Of
the undersigned in Introducing the Stats
teal information referred to was to correct
this erroneous impression, by showing
from facts drawn from unquestionable
sources, that the condition of the African
race in the States which had abolished
slavery was far worse than in those which
had not; and that of course Great Britain
could not consummate in the United State:
what she avows to be the object of he
policy and constant eXeltions 10 efiec
throughout the world without rendering
the condition of the African race in tht
slaveholding Safes much worse than 1t is
and disturbing 'their internal tranquility
and the prosperity of the Union"
That such was the intention of the un
dersigned he hopes will be evident to MIR
Packenham on a re-perusal of his note
and not, as he supposes, "to expound M
subject of slavery" or to "detend it as |
exists in the United States" He is tn
more solictous TO correct the error int
which Mr.. Packenham has fallen, becaus
the intention which he attributes 10 tn
undersigned would be incompatible wit
the principle which regulates the Unite
States in their intercourse with the rest G
the wcrd; that is, TO leave all other coun
, tries, without interference on their par
20 regulate their own internal relation
= and concerns as 10 each other may seer
best, without permitting any to interior
with theirs. He could not, consistent
, with this well established principle of the
t policy, permit any question belonging e.
= clusivcly To the internal relations or cot
Y Germs Of any Of the States of this Unio
g 10 be brought into controversy heIwce