The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-11

about a matter altogether foreign to Texas. and
which, At was thought, was quietly moving along
from some other quarter, Il was impossible for the
English ministry TO see such prodigioas portent in
President Folks inaugural as they imagined, which
at the time of its delivery, excited no remark among
our people, or among the representatives Of foreign
courts at Washington.
The time for England and France to have pre-
vented both the Independence and the annexation Of
Texas, was some nine or ten years ago, when Texas
was feeble and almost helpless. That sit was moi
then done, was owing to the ignorance which pre-
vailed IN Europe In reference to Texas Indeed, al
that period, the value and Of the country
were not fully known in the United States Had
England then known as much about Texas as she
does now, it is my impression she would have in
some way aided Mexico in making conquest oil
the country But she and the rest of Europe con-
sidered the Texians mere handful Of adventurous
outlaws, and which the Mexican authorities could
and would at an early moment put down.
When Texas had succeeded in gaining her indie
Pendence, if England and France had approached
her with kindness and frankness saying to her
"We are willing to influence Mexico to acknowl.
edge your independence, which we will guaranty
and at the same time pledge ourselves never to med
die with your slave property;"-had such an offer
been rendered to her in sincerity in the hour of her
gloomy and uncertain condition, and after we had
jected her proposals of annexation, am induced to
think Texas would then have yielded her consent to
the arrangement
Lord Durham came over as governor general Of
Canada in 1889 and 40. There came over with
him, in his suite, a young man of much talent and
intelligence by the name of Kennedy, who acted as
private secretary, or in other capacity in his
lordship's service. When Lord Durham was re.
called, MIR. Kennedy went on a visit to Texas
where he obtained all the information he could gel
hold of about the country. He was quick in dis
covering the fertility and resources of the country
he considered that its growth and development in ag-
| ricultural production would, in forming commercial
relations with England, afford an excellent marke,
for the sale of English manufactured goods, she re-
ceiying cotton IN exchange. Mr.. Kennedy returned
to England, and, in l84l, published book of some
or 500 pages on Texas, in which he spoke favor
ably OF the advances of the people and of its ability
10 produce cotton TO large extent. He called the
attention of the ministry the importance of Eng
lands acknowledging the independence of Texas,
and OF forming commercial treaty with her. This
book was favorably noticed by the English critics.
and especially by the Edinburgh Review, which,
for the first time during its existence, spoke avora-
bly, Of the country and the struggle Of its people.
A contest now arose between the fanatics, call
ed in England the saints party" on the one hand,
and the interest of Great Britain the other. The
abolitionis or saints party" contended that their
Independence should not be acknowledged, or a
treaty of commerce formed with them, unless they
would agree to abolish slavery. No one was more
violent against friendship to Texas than O'Connell
The Texians upto this period, had been continually
held up by all parties in England as scapegallows,
free. hooters, outlaws and pirates The very name
OF Iexian was a reproach and bye-word. Mr..
Kennedy's book, however, which, l think, he dedi-
Gated to Earl Durham seemed to open the eyes of
the English ministry, if it did stop the cant Of the
abolitionists.
knowledge the independence of Texas, by the for
nation OF commercial treaty with her. For this
act OF ministerial policy, Sir Robert was called to
account in the House Of Commons, l believe, by
O'Connell, or some other member Of the saints
party" Sir Robert was asked,if treaty had been
consummated' To which he simply replied in the
affirmative, and here the matter dropped.
The English ministry, with Lord Brougham, how
ever, so far listened to the opportunities Of the abo-
lltionists as to consent to use their influence with
Mexico, to prevail on her to Wedge the indie
pendence Of Texas, "propided' Texas would agree
to abolish slavery within her borders. Lord Brough-
am thought that, if slavery were abolished in Tex
as, would lead to its abolition in the United States.
Lord Aberdeen said it was desirable on the part of
England to "see slavery abolished throughout the
world" These declarations, drawn forth by the
influence Of the Saints party,n at the same time
they excited the jealousy of the United States as to
the real intentions of England forever decided the
fate of Texas. She at once saw no faith was to be
paced in the guaranty of England, or safety to be
found in her PROMISES that if she fell under her con-
troll, the ruinous late and desOatOn would Overtake
the country that had been brought upon the West
lnaia Islands by emancipation. She saw that her
real security and interest were to be found in her
union with our confederacy of States, Is Of whom
adjoining were large and powerful in wealth and re.
sources and maintained institutions similar to her own
Annexation, therefore, became not only probable,
but certain As soon as England and France dis
covered that this measure was likely to be consum-
mated they came forward with a proposition to in
duce Mexico to acknowledge the Independence of
Texas, PROVIDED" that annexation on her part to
the United States should be declined !! The
propso of slavery being now dropped, not
one word being said about it, the guaranty is
now proposed to cover Independence, slavery
and all, on the part Of England and France, If
only annexation be declined! The offer of guar
anty, without qualification beyond non annex
alton, has come too late. The annexation of
Texas to our Union will soon be accomplished, and
we will have to thank the abolitionists of England
for helping it along.
We fell in with Mr.. Kennedy in London, IN lS4l,
and had frequent conversations with him about
Texas, Of which he spoke in terms of high com.
mendation. He expressed himself much pleased
with the agricultural resources of the country and
spoke of the people being far above the standard
at which they had been generally regarded in Eu-
rope. He was afterwards sent out, 1 believe, as
British consul to Galveston. s
prices, or other change worth speaking Of
markets.
Yours, respectfully,
MORGAN.