Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-06-08
Mr.. PackenhGm to Mr.. Calhoun.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1874.

The undersigned, her Britannia Ma es-
ty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Penipotentiary, has had the honor to re.
ceive the note which the honorable Mr..
Calhoun, Secretary Of State of the United
States, was pleased yesterday TO address
to him, containing observations on a des.
patch from her Majosty's Principal Sec
rotary of State for Foreign Affairs to the
undersigned, Of which the undersigned
had the honor, at the request of the late
Secretary of State, Mr.. Upshur, to furnish
copy, for the more complete information
of the Government Of the United States,
Mr.. Calhoun at the same time announ-
ces to the Undersigned, by direction Of
the President, that treaty has been con-
cluded between the United States and
Texas for the annexation of Texas to This
country as part of lis territory, which
treaty will be submitted without delay TO
the Senate for its approval.
Mr. Calhoun further takes occasion TO
enter into explanations as to the motives
which have induced the government Of
the United States to adopt their present
policy with regard 10 Texas; and he con-
cludes by presenting certain remarks,
founded OH statistical information, in de-
fence OF the institution of slavery as now
| established in portion of this Republic,
and in proof of the necessity of taking
measures for its preservation.
1t is not the purpose of the undersigned
in the present communication TO enter in
to discussions with Mr.. Calhoun respect
| ing the project thus formally announced
on the part of the Government Of the
United States TO annex Texas to the
American Union that duty will, if thO't
necessary, be fulfilled by higher authority
still less is the undersigned disposed TO
trespass on Mr.. Calhoun's attention by
offering any remarks upon the subject of
slavery, as expounded in Mr.. Calhoun's
note. That note will be transmitted to
her Majesty's Government by the earliest
opportunity; and with this intimation the
undersigned would Tor the present content
himself, were it not for the painful impress
sion created on his mind by observing that
the Government of the United States, so
far from approaching at their just value
the explanations furnished by her Males
TVS Government in a spirit of frankness
and good faith we'll calculated to aIay
whatever anxiety this Government might
have previously felt on the particular
points to which those explanations have
reference, appear to have found arguments
in that communication in favor of the
contemplated annexation of Texas-thus,
as it were, assigning TO the British Gov
eminent some share in the responsibility
of transaction which can hardly fail to
be viewed in many quarters with the most
serious objection.
| Ali such responsibility the undersigned
begs leave, in the name of her Majesy's
Government, at once and most positively
to dsclaim. Whatever may be the con.
Il sequences of that transaction, the British
Government will look forward without any
anxiety 10 the judgment which will thereon
be passed by the civilized world, in as fal
4 as shall apply 10 any provocaton furnish
ed by England for the adoption of such {
measure.
With the political independence of Tex
r as not only has Great Britain disavoweC
all intention to interfere, but it is wei
known fact that her most jealous exertion
have boen directed towards the completion
r of that independence, by obtaining its &C
unemployment at the hands of the onh
power by which it was seriously disputed
, Great Britain has also formally disclaim
h ed the desire to establish in feyas an!
/. dominant influence, and, with respect Il
2 slavery, she is not conscious of having
/. acted in sense to cause ust alarm TO tn
It United States.
From the avowed desire of Great Fri
tain to see slavery abolished in Texas.
re is inferred by the Government of The l
q States that England is endcavorlng thr'
N her diplomacy, 10 make the abolition
!, slavery condition 10 the acknowledge
a mcnt of the independence of Texas b
Mexico. If Mr., Calhoun will have I'll