The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-08-26
Mr. Upshur 10 Mr. EVereh.
DEPAR rsIENr OF STATE

Washiagtoa, September -, 1913.
Sin: My public despatch Of this date calls yonr
aten ion to the subject of the attempt which,
have reason To think, the British Government is
making TO procure tho abolition Of slavery in Texas
and the United States. II did not pear 10 me prop
TO embody in that despat oh all the views Of that
subject which have been taken by this Government.
In oder, however, that you may understand what
degree of Importance is attached 10 II, present 10
you, in this private aud semi official form, Of
the most important points which we have consd-
cred it.
Let US suppose, then that her present attempt upon
Texas, and, through her, upon The United States, will
succeed. We shall thus be the better able To csli-
mate the influence which that state Of things would
be felt in the suv ehodng States, they would extend
10 and embrace important interests in every part of
the country.
But in another view tho subjec, is equally inter-
csting. What effect would be produced upon the
productive industry Of tho Sonth by Withdrawing from
it all the labor afforded it by two aud half millions Of
its people! This is nearly half the entire popu-
latlon of tho sIaveholdng States. II is possible TO
suppose that their places would be supp led by white
labor lfthere other difficulty in tho way,
the climate alone would oppose insuperable OBJ
stacle But, under the most favorable circun-
stances, large number of aborers is not easily
obtained. Let it be borne in mind that these slaves
perform nearly the whole agricultural labor of the
South. If that labor should be withdrawn, their
fields must lie uncutvated, their houses and other
improvements must decay, and their lands be worth
nothing. The utter ruin OF Tho whole country, and
Of lis credit and creditors, be the consequence,
No influx Of new settlers could prevent it. The most
rapid course ofimmsration which has yet been
would be too slow to arrest he Overwhelming de-
struclion. "f....- ..f
AS these would be the effect # the actual aboli-
ton OF slavery in the United States rt inquire
what would be its effect if confined to Texas
Is quite obvious that slavery could not easily DO
maintained in country surrounded by other coun-
tries whose Governments did not recognize that inst-
tuition The difficulty in the present would be
increased by the fact that those countries would be
inhabited by the people Of the with the
slave owners, speaking the same language, haying the
same manners, and ia many respects the same insi
tuition. .... q. Ia. -.. ..#.....
Texas, however, lies immediately on the border
of Louisiana and Arkansas. The slave would have
nothing more to do than simply TO cross the Red
River the Sabine, and he would find himself free
man. lie would be very sure TO profit by tho OPP.
portunity. All the vigilance which the master could
use enforced even by n harsher discipline than he
would be willing exert, would avail nothing
Within few years large proportion Of the slaves
within reach othe border would seek refuge in Tex
us; and the remainder would be rendered yslurlcss
by discomfort and dangerous INSTRUMENTATION. The
STAKEHOLDER ought not to submit, and would not sub
init, to this ' ai BID '''." 1" f.i.1a
Mr. Upshur TO afr Thompson. (ExrRAcr)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Wdshiagion, .NoU. lS, 1913
Your attention has already been CALLED to iha