Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-06-15
LETTER OF GEN. CASS.
DETROIT, Mav 10, 1871.

DETROIT, May 10, 1914.
DEAR SIR: In answer to your inquiry,
whether | am favorable to the immediate
annexation of Texas to the United States,
Il reply that | am. AS you demand my
opinion only of this measure, and briefly
the reasons which influence me, | shall con-
fine myself to these points.
| shall not dwell upon the policy of unit.
ing coterminous countries, situated like
ours and Texas, with no marked geographi.
cal feature 10 divide them, and with navi-
gable streams penetrating the territories of
both; nor upon the common origin of the
people who inhabit them, upon their COM
mon language, manners, religion, institu-
tons, and, in fact, their identity as a branch
of the human family. Nor shall | urge
the material interests involved in the meas
ure, by the free intercourse it would estab-
fish between the various sections of vast
country, mutually dependent upon, and
supplying one another. These considera-
tons are so obvious, that they need no e!u-
cidation from me.
But, in a military point Of view, anncxa-
| ton strikes the as still more important. and
my mind has been the more forcibly i'm
pressed with this idea from reading the
able letter Of General Jackson upon
this subject, which has Just come under
my observation. With the intuitive sa-
gaCity which makes part of the character
of that great man and pure patriot, he has
forseen the use which European enemy
might make Of Texas in the event of
war with the United States. A lodge
mont in that country would lay open our
whole southwestern border TO his devasta-
tons. We could establish no fortress, nor
occupy any favorable position; for the i'm
mcnse frontier may, in vast many places,
be crossed as readily as man passes from
one part Of his farm to another. The adj
vantages an active enemy would enjoy
under such circumstances, it requires no
sagacity to forctc.
These considerations recall 10 my memory
an article which made its appearance just
= before left Europe. in leading tory peri
odical in England, which is understood to
: speak the sentiments Of a powerful party.
This is Frazer's Magazine; and more ne
farious article never issued from a profit
/ gate press. 1t ought to be stereotyped and
t circulated from one end of our country to
" the other, to show the designs which are
d in agitation against us, and 10 teach US that
+ our safety in that mighty contest which is
O coming upon US. is in a knowledge Of our
I, and by wise forecast, 10 meet il, and defeat
:. it.. The spirit Of this article is sufficiently
Ii indicated by its title, which was, "a war
u with the United States blessing to man
I. kind l cannot refer to it at this moment.
l. but must speak of it from recollection. |
: have been surprised it has not attracted
! more attention in our country. It's object
was to provoke a war with the United
e States, and to lay down the plan of a cam
Y paign, which would soonest bring il to a
II fortunate conclusion for England. The
e basis of this plan was the organization Of
d the necessary black force in the West India
II Islands, and its debarkarion upon our south
II ern coast The consequences which our
J. enemies fondy hoped for. in such case,
l. but with an entire ignorance of the true
} state of the country, were foretold with 4
u rare union of philanthropy and hatred.
y wish | had the number at hand. to Gull
o. some choice passages for your reflection.
c The result was to be the destruction of the
Is southern States, the ruin or depression of
;! the others, and the dissolution Of this great
n and glorious confedcraCy, on which the
" last hopes of freedom through the world
e now rest.
II What more favorable position could he
taken for the occupation Of English black
E. troops, and for letting them loose upon our
y southern States, than is afforded by Texas?
&c Incapable of resisting in the event of a
;; war between US and England, she would be
st taken possession of by the latter, under
one or another of those pretcnces, which
ch every page of her history furnishes, and
e, the territory would become the depot
IL whence she would carry on her operations
v against US, and attempt to add a servile
a war TO the other calamitics which hostili.
Of ties bring with them. He who doubts
ly whether this would be done, has yet 10
ELI learn another trait in the annals of ma
he tiona antipathy. 1t would be done, and be
be called philanthropy.
" Every day satisfies me more and more
er that majority of the American people arc
he in favor of annexation. Were they not
the measuse ought not to be effected Blu,
re as they are, the sooner i! is effected the
"a better. do not touch the details of the
iy negotiation. That must be left to the re-
IS. sponsibility of the governments; as. also
he must the bearing of the question upon, and
- its reception by, other countries. These
his are points do not here enter into
in am, dear sir, with much regard.
his truly yours, LEW. CASS.
lei Hon L, 4. IIANNEGAN,