The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-09
TEXAS AND COL. BENTON.

Extract below is taken from the correspondent
of the Charleston Mercury. The speculation
may be interesting. We, ourselves, have hut
little faith in Col. Benton. or any vi the Benton
clique, hu, do not believe that they will ven
ture what character they have left, in now oppos
ing the final contamination Of annexation. The
power of the Young Democracy" is too strong
for Them to pnt themselves in opposition to it. on
that issue. There is no danger of Virginia send
ing an opponent of the measure to the Senate, we
can assure orr Charleston friends
Ito shew that am not alone in surprising il
to be quite possible that Senator Benton NAV
throw attempt to throw obstacles in the wav of
the final completion of annexation, particularly if
he should he reinforced by two Bag6vizinr
Senators from Virginia and Mississippi. | reg,
just to call your attention and that of your readers
10 the following extract from letter published in
the Albany Evening Journal, for the purpose of
calling upon the Wings still to rally in opposition
TO the " Annexation of Texas" This extract,
too, shews the estimate placed by the Wings up.
on Col. Benton's opposition to the Treaty of An
nexation. and the estimate they form of his future
course. Here it is:
On Col. Benton, the eyes of all prudent men
are turned with intensest interest. His great ex
perence. the conservative and Just views he has
already expressed his hitherto mistaken irmness
give hope, that # Teas be admitted IL 1uH onI,I
be on terms that shall be Just, not only to .Mer
leo, but to both sections Of his country. But he
treaded dangerous ground for himself 1t was
the rock of compromise the fortunes of Mr.
Clay were broken. II will require moral fort
tude almost more than human for that gentleman
to maintain the noble position he has taken against
the now swift running popular current. But Col
Benton, It any man living, can ride in the whirl-
wind and direct the storm.
If the cup cannot be put from us, be it so, be
it so. If Teas must be united 10 u.s. lei The
line IF diyision be fairIy drawn, balfnt least be
ing, by The organic la,0, like The North Western
Territory, that o,CeS much TO your patriotic
labors, mig dear friend, forever secured from
" Slavery or Involuntary serpitude otherwise
than in The punishment Of crime
{" have very little fear with respect to the
Senator to be elected by Virginia believe that
that State will send to the u. S. Senate man
who is known To he trne on the Texas question,
and who will not he drawn off by any man, or on
any pretence. | thought it proper, however, tn
call attention to the view Of the question which
presented in my previous letter, because, it was
important that the matter should be well under
stood. that Gov. Mcdowell, (not McDonald) Oi
Virginia, and Gov. McNutt. Of Mississippi. were
both Bentonians, and would be likely to follow in
tlB wake Ol NOl. Denton, however tOTtuOOS or III
advised his course might be. That my suppose
ton that Col. y may. and probably will, attempt
to throw some obstacle in the way Of the consum-
nation Of the union of Texas to the United States
is at least plausible, is shewn by the extract above
above given Of the opinion Of others than myself
That those obstacles, or any opposition that Col
Benton, to crafty his reyen0eful passions, might
attempt. will be Of any avail. ! cannot and
will not believe. Yet fDrwarned is forearm
ed" and those States which have to elect Sena
tors should understand what rnay be the effects
Of their action should they choose men who would
take Col. b as their political conscience keep
or. ] perceive from the Mississippi papers that
Gov McNutt is about to undertake stumping ex
Pediton throughout that State, to try TO persuade
the people to choose members of the Legislature
who will vote for him for Senator cannot how
ever think that McNuu will ever be sent as a Sen
aor from that State, when recollect that when
Mr.. Van Buren's letter on the subject Of Annexa
ton was made public, he Supported it views, de-
nounced the Treaty Of Annexation. Landed Col.
Benpn's course, advocated the nomination Of Mr..
Van Buren,, and denounced and attempted to over
ride those men in the State who threw Mr. Van