Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-06-08
this and any foreign Government what

INC WV CIHlllcHl Ol lHc OHlleu 0lutCS ulu
not appreciate at their full value the ex.
plantations of Her Majesty's Government
on the subject of its policy in reference to
Texas. He would repeat, what he had
supposed had been explicitly stated in his
note to Mr.. Packenham, the assurance
that this Government fully appreciates the
spirit of frankness and good faith in which
the explanations were furnished. If they
have failed to allay the anxiety which they
had previously felt on the subject to which
they referred, it was because they were
accompanied by an avowal on the part of
Her Maies,y's Government, in reference
to the abolition of slavery generally, and
to Texas in particular, calculated to defeat
the object which the explanations were in
tended to effect. 1t was not possible for
the President to hear with Indifference
the avowal of policy so hostile in its
character and dangerous in its tendency
to The domestic institutions of so many
States Of this Union, and to the safety and
prosperity of the whole. Nor could he alb
stain from declaring his regret at the
avowal, consistently with that frankness
and sincerity which have ever character
lied the conduct of this Government in its
intercourse with other countries.
The United States, in concluding the
treaty of annexation with Texas, are not
disposed to shun any responsibility which
may fairly attach TO them on account Of
the transaction. The measure was adop-
ted with the mutual consent and for the
mutual and permanent welfare of the two
countries interested. 1t was made neces.
sary in order to preserve domestic institu-
tions placed under the guaranty of their
respective constitutions, and deemed es-
sentaI 10 their safety and prosperity.
Whether Great Britain has the right,
according to the principles of international
law, to interfere with the domestic instiu-
tons of either country, be her motives or
means what they may; or whether the
avowal of such policy, and the eyertions
she has made to consummate it in Texas.
do not justify both counties in adopting
the most effective measures to prevent it,
are questions which the United States will.
! lingly leave to tho decision of the civilized
world. They confidently rest the appeal
on the solid foundation that every country
is the rightul and exclusive Judge as to
what should be the relations, social, civil,
and political, between those who compose
its population, and that no other country,
under the plea of humanity or other mo.
tive, has any right whatever to interfere
with its decision. On this foundation rests
the peace and harmony Of the world.
The undersigned has again referred,
in conformity with the request of Mr..
Packenham, to the portion of Lord Aber-
deems despatch to which ho has pointed
his attention, with the view of rebutting
the inference of the President that Great
Britain has endeavored through her diplo-
macy, to effect the abolition Of slavery in
Texas, by making it one Of the conditions
on which Mexico should acknowledge her
independence. lie is constrained 10 say
on a careful perusal, that he can discover
nothing in it calculated in any degree to
weaken the inference of the President
His lordship avows that Great Britain
wishes to see slavery abolished in Texas
that she would rejoice if the recognition
of that country by the Mexican Govern.
ment should be accompanied by an engage
mcnt on the part of Texas to do So, and
that she feels it to be her duty to promote
such a consummation. If to these en-
phatic declarations the fact be added, thai
Great Britain, at the very time they were
made, was engaged in negotiating with the
Mexican Government, in order TO obtain
from it recognition of the independence
of Texas, and that she declined 10 unite
with France and the United States in
Joint effort for that purpose, it is surely moi
forced or unfair inference to conclude
without calling in the aid of other evidence
that she used, in conducting it, all the le'
climate means of diplomacy, backed by
her great influence, to effect an object in
the accomplishment of which she acknow-
Iedges she took so deep an interest, and tc
which she obviously attached so much i'm
portancc. Nor does the undersigned re-
gard the declarations of Lord Aberdeen
that Great Britain would not interfere un
duly, or with any improper assumption o
, authority, that she will counsel, but no
, seek to compel or unduly control elthe
, party, as in any degree weakening the IN
!, ference of the President, nor does he con
! slider The remarks of Mr.. Packenham a
{ denial of its truth.
The undersigned avails himself of tn
occasion to renew TO Mr.. Packenham tn
assurances of his distinguished considers
n tim.
q ]. C. CALHOUN.