Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-13
1a.nmsnls RECOMMENDING dc Ioresiden.'s Message.
Mr.. CALHOUN To Mr.. KING.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Coacl,uied)
Mr.. CALHOUN To Mr.. King.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, August IL. 1871
Sir have laid your despatch No before inc
President who insiructS me 10 make known 10
YOU. that he has read ii with much pleasure, es-
peciallyihe portion which relates your cardiai re-
cen,ion by The King, and his assurance Of friend
IL feelings towards the Z. States. The President,
in particular, highly appreciates The declaration
OF the King that, in no event. would any steps be
taken by his Governmen, in the sigh.e>. degree
hostile. or which wculd give TO the United States
lust cause Of complaint. II was IN" more graft
1ync from The fact. iha, our previous Information
was calculated TO make the impression maj Inc
Government Of France was prepared 10 unite
with Great Britain in Joint protest against the
annexation OF Texas, and JOINT effort 10 INDUCE
her Government 10 withdraw The proposition 70 an
mex. on condition tha, Mexico should ha made TO
acknowledge her independence. tie Is happy 10
infer from your despatch that The information, 50
far as i, relates TO France is in all probability,
withou. foundation You did not go further than
Won ough. in assuring the King, that the object oil
annexation would be pursued with undated VI.
gor, and in giving your opinion, that ceclded
majority of the American people were IN IT'S Ia
yor. and that il would certainly be annexed al no
distant day. feel eonfiden, that your anticipa-
ton will be fully realized, at no distant period
Every day Will tend 10 weaken that combination
of political causes which led 10 the opposition oi
the measure and 10 strengthen the conviction that
il was not only expedien, but Just and necessary
You were right IN making the distinctions be-
tween the interests OF France and England in re-
ference TO Texas-or, rather. would say, the APP
parent interests OF the two countries. France
cannot possibly have any other than commercial
interest in desiring 10 see her preserve her sePa-
rate Independence; while it is certain that Eng
land looks beyond, TO political interests, 10 which
she apparently attaches much Importance. But
in our opinion, the interests OF both against the
measure are more apparcn, than real; and that
neither France, England, nor even Mexico her
self has any in opposition 10 il, when the subject
is fairly viewed and considered in lis whole eX-
lent. and m all lis bearings. Thus viewed and
considered, and assuming that peace, the exlen-
sion OF commerce and security, are objects Of
primary police with them, il may as II seems to
me, be readily shown, that the policy on the part
of those powers which would acQuiesce in a mea
sure so strongly desired by both the United States
and Texas, for their mutual welfare and safety,
as The annexation of the latter 10 the former
would be far more promo,ive Of those great
objects than that which would attempt 10 resist H.
IL is impossible 10 cast look al the map of the
United States and Texas and 10 note the long, ar
siiicial and inconvenient line which divides them
and then to take into consideration the exlraordi-
nary increase OF population and growth OF The
former and The source from which the latter must
derive lis nhabi;antS institutions and laws, with
out coming 10 the conclusion, that il is their des-
Tiny 10 be united, and, OF course that annexation
is merely question OF time and mode. Tins
regarded the question 10 be decided would seem
TO be- whether il would not be better to permit it
h,,J ba al Of b,,l
parties and the acquicscence Of these powers,
Than 10 attempt TO resist it. II the former course
be adopted, the certain fruits would be the preser-
walton of peace, great extension of commerce BIZ
the rapid settlement and improvement OF Texas
and increased security, especially 10 Mexico -
The last in reference TO Mexico, may be doubt
ed: bu, | hold il not less clear than the other two
I, would be greet mistake 10 suppose that this
Government has any hostile feelings towards Mex
ico or any disposition TO asgrandize Itself at her
expense.
il wishes iler we'll and desires 10 see her settled
down in peace and security. and is prepared, in
The event of The annexation 81 Texas if no. forced
into conflict with her, 10 propose 70 settle with her
the question of boundary, and all others growing
out OF the annexation, on the most liberal terms
Nature herself has clearly marked the boundary
between her and Texas, BY natural limits too
saong 10 be mistaken. There are few countries
whose limits are 30 distinctly marked; and ii
would be our desire, If Texas should be united
10 US. 10 see them firmly established, as the most
certain means Of establishing permanent peace
between The Two countries, and strengthening and
ccmenting their friendship. Such would be the
certain consequence Of permitting The annexation
10 take place now. with the acGuiesccncc of Neyi.
CO. but very different would be the case II il should
be attempted TO resist and defeat it, wheth ~ the
attempt should be successful for the pres "at or
not ANY attempt OF the kind would, not lupro-
badly, lead to a conflict between us and Mexico,
and involve consequences, in reference 10 her and
the general peace, long 10 be deplored on bo'h
sides, and ditiicul, TO he repaired But, should
that moi be The case, and the interference Of
another power defeat the annexation for the pre-
gent without, the interruption OF peace, il would
but postpone The conflict, and render il more fierce
and bloody wh:Gevcr ii might occur! It's defeat
would be attributed 10 aaIniiy an. ambition on
The par; Of that power bv whose inference il was
occasioaed, and excite deep jealousy and resent
ment on The part oil our people, who would 1e
ready 10 seize the frs. favorable opportunity 10
effect b. force what was prevented from being
done peace3bY, By mutual consent. II is not
difficult 10 sec now greatly such conflict, come
when i, might, would cndanser the general peace,
and how much Mexico might be the loser by it.
In the mean time, The condition Of Texas
would be rendered uncertain, her settlement and
prosperity in consequence retarded, and her COM
lnercc crippled, while the general peace would
De rendered much more insecure. II could not
IN, greatly affect US. If the Annexation OF
Texas should be permitted To take place peace
ably now (as il would without the interference
of other poWerS) the energies Of our people
would for long time 10 come be directed TO the
peaceabc pursuits OF redeeming, and bringing
within the pale OF cultivation, Improvements,
and civilization, that large portion of the CONT
nent lying between Mexico on one side, and the
British possessions on the other, which is nov,
with little exception a wilderness with sparse
population consisting, Tor the most part OF wan
dering Indian tribes.
II is our destiny 10 occupy that vast region
10 inersect ii with roads and canals, to fill it
with cities, towns, villages, and farms To OK
tend oyer il our religion, customs. constitution
and laws: and 10 present il as peaceful and
splendid addition TO the domains OF commerce
and civilization Ii is our policy 10 increase, by
growing and spreading out into unoccnped re-
gions, assimila,ing all VIC incorporate in a
word, 10 increase by accrcion, and not through
conquest, by The addition OF masses helt, together
by The cohesion oil force. No system can he
more unSui,ed 10 the latter process. or better
ADAPTED to the former, than our admirable Eedc-
raj system II it should not be resisted in its
course. i, will probably fulfil its destiny without
disturbing orr neighbors, or putting in jeopardy
the general peace; but il it is TO be opposed ny
foreign interference, a new direction would be
given TO our energy, much less favorable TO har-
mony with our neghbors, and 10 The general
peace Of the world.
The change would be undesirable 10 us, and
much less in accordance with what have as
sumed to be primary objects of policy on the
par, Of France, England, and Mexico.
But, TO descend TO particulars, it is certain that
while England, like France. desires the indepen-
depce OF Texas, with the view TO commercial con
ncciions. it is not less so, that one ofthe leading
motives Of England for desiring it, is the hope
that, through her diplomacy and influence, negro
slavery NAV be abolished there, and ultimately,
by consequence, in the United States ana through
out the whole OF this continent. That its ulti-
mate abolition throughout the entire continent is
l.. ! -, H.; hoe .Icc;-