Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-05-29
DETROIT, Nav 10, 1874.

DETROIT, May 10, 1874.
Dear Sir: In answer TO your inquiry
whether am in favor of the in,media e
annexation of Texas to the United States,
Ireply that am. As you demand my
opinion only Of this measure, and briefly
the reasons which influence me, shall
confne myself to these points.
] shall not dwell upon the policy of
uniling coterminous countries. situated like
ours and Texas, wilhno marked geograph.
ical feature to divide them and with navi-
gable streams penetrating the territories OF
both; nor upon the common origin OF the
people who inhabil them, upon their COM
mon language, manners, religion. institu-
tions, and IN fact. thoir identity as branch
Of The human family. Nor shall urge
The material Interests involved in the mea-
sure, by the free intercourse it would es-
tablish between the various sections of a
vast country, mutually dependent upon
and supplying one another. These con
siderations are so obvious that lhey need
no calculation from me.
But. 10 a military point of view, annex.
alion strikes me as still more important,
and my mind has been The more forcibly
impressed with this idea from reading the
able letter Of General Jackson upon this
subject, which has just come under my
observation. With the intuitive sagacity
which makes part Of the character of that
great man and pure patriot, he has FORE
seen The use which European enemy
might make Of Texas in the event of a
war with The United States. A lodge
ment in that country would lay open our
whole southwestern border to his devasta-
tions. We could establish no fortress, nor
occupy any favorable position; for the
immense frontier may, in vast many
places, be crossed as readily as a man
passes from one part Of farm to another.
The advantages an active enemy would
enjoy under such circumstances, it requires
no sagicily TO foretell.
These considerations recall to nv mem
ory an article which made its appearance
just before left Europe, in leading tory
periodical in England, which is understood
tospeak The sentiments ofa powerful party.
This is Frazier's Magazine; and more
nefarious article never issued from prof.
gate press. IL ought to be stereolyped
and circulated from one end ofeur country
to the other, 10 show the designs which
are in agitation against US, and 10 teach US
that our safety in that mighty contest
which is coming upon us,.is in knowl-
edge of our danger, and in determination
by union, and by wise forecast to meet
it, and defeat il. The spiri, of this arli-
Gle is sufficiently indicated by its title,
whicn was, "a war with the United States
a blessingtu mankind" cannot refer to il
at this moment, but must speak of il from
recollection. | have often been surprised
it has not attracted more attention in our
country. Its object was to provoke war
with the United States, and to lay down
the plan Of a campaign, which would
soonest bring il to fortunate conclusion
for England. The basis Of this plan was
the organization of the necessary black
force in the West India Islands, and its
debarkalion upon our southern coast. The
consequences which our enemies fondly
hoped for, in such case, bul with an en-
tire ignorance of the lrue state of the
country, were forelold with a rare union
Of philanthropy and haired. wish ! had
the number al hand, 10 Gull some choice
passages for your reflection. The result
was TO be The destruction of the Southern
States, The ruin or depression ofthe others,
and the dissolution of this great and Clio.
rious confederacy, on which the last hopes
Of freedom through the world now rest.
What more favorable position could be
taken for the occupation Of English black
troops, and for letting them loose upon our
Southern States, than is afforded by Texasl
Incapable ofresisting 10 The event of war
between US and England, she would be
taken possession Of by the latter, under
one or another of those prelences, which
every page Of her history furnishes. and
the territory would become The depot
whence she would carry on her operations
against US, and attempt 10 add a servie
war 10 the other calamities which hoslili-
ties bring with them. He who doubts
whether this would be done, has yet 10
learn anothcrtrail in the annals o. national
antipalhy. 1t would be done, and be
called philanthropy.
Every day satisfies me more and more,
that majority of the American people
are id favor Of annexation Wore they
not, the measure ought TO be effected.
But as they are, the sooner it is effected
the better. ] do not touch The details of
the negotiation. That. must be left to the
responsibility of the government as, also,
must the bearing of The question upon,
and lis exceptions by, other countries.
These are points ! do no, here enter into.
] am, dear sir, with much regard.
Yours truly, LEW. CASS.
Hon. E. A, flanagan, Wash'n, D. G.
Mr.. Madison's Authority.-The follow
ing letter from Mr.. Madison, while Sc.
cretary of Stale IN Mae,rs ,ivinpston and