Mobile register and journal., 1845-09-25
Correspondence of the Journal and Flag.
a Letter from Washington.

concerning the course Of Senator Bagby, the
Texas question. at the last session of Congress.
Great iaiuslic has been done 10 thatgenIleman, in
consequence OF Misunderstanding OF the actual line
OF conduct which he did pursue. Although did not
concur, in the policy Of his course at the time, yet
am satisfied that ih0se who loud IN their
sures of him. nv tratorons and unlathu to his trust
greatly nlIsconceive his sentiments, and do not APP
preciale The important effects Of the policy he pur
sued.
As was present in Washington during The entTe
tendency of this question at the last session, and
was AN interes ted spectator Of the many singular
movements and counter movements touching annexa-
ton, il is perhaps duty owe TO NIL concerned, 10
place Gov. Bagby's course, as lar as may, rightly
before the people,
When the measure OF annexation was first broach-
ed at the last session Of congress. it was found that
there were numerous and conflicting plans for the
accomplishment of that purpose. These soon settled
down into two general es,--the one by joint
solution or simple legislative Retion,-the other by
an exercise of the treaty making power, to I've lo-
lowed by congressional approval. This latter plan
had been the one insisted Mt the previous session
by the advocates OF the "Tylcr Trcay,"-thnt is by
the great body of The democratic party, including
| Gov. Bagby. The wing then contended that the
treaty mode was Unconstitutional and That the meas
could not be properly achieved but by the leg,s-
la;ive power the nation Al the last session, me
condition OF things altered, and strange enough
both parties now changed sides, to considerable ex-
lent. The nreut mass Of the democrats opposed by
| the wings, supported the Legislative mode, aud so
the joint resolutions passed the house oil representa-
| tives. When they came 10 the senate, they lonnd
many Of the members Of thai body committed against
then in consequence Of the discussions OH the treaty
| al the pre,ious session. Gov. Bagby Of
these. He hal warmly advocated the treaty plan as
the only proper and constitutional one, and had vo-
ted for the Tyler treaiY,a vote by the bse, which
then gave great satisfaction to the people oil Alaba-
ma There we're several other democratic senators
in the same situation. Their position was necersa-
rily an unpleasant and embarrassing ONE. The wing
party, however. with greater iexibily, came 10 the
fright about Wheel" and took position, against tho
very mode they had sustained the year before.
| To all the lockers on in Washington, this condi-
| ton Of things was exceedingly interesting. The
fate Of Texas was trembling in tho balance. Every
influence put in operation TO secure The success
| of the measure. After the closest examination, II
was found that there some siT democratic sena-
| tors, embracing Mcsas. Benton OF Missouri, Dix OF
| New York, Tappan Of Ohio, Atherton OF New Hamp
shire sc. who would mol vote for the house resolu-
| lions, but who would support them, together with
Mr.. Johnion of Louisiana, ii modification sucl, AS
was subsequently adopted, could he secured. Other
wise the resolutions, and with Them any form OF an-
nexaon, for that session at least, mist perish. In
this staff of affairs the course OF Gov bagpy waa
looked To- by much interest, particularly by the cit-
| zens Of Alabama who were here. We knew the al
most unanimous desire Of the people Of our state 10
accomplish annexation in any form which was prac-
iicabIe md proper,-and felt that il Gov. Bagby vo
| ted against the measure, he would grossly violate
the willof his constituents With these feelings,
called lDon Gov. 3aghy, come ten days before the
final vaP, and conversed with Him on the subject.
lie declared that he was honsatly and cordially in
favor OF anne xaion, and, both duty to his con
stituents and himself would do nothing 10 defeat the
measure. but the contrary intended to take the
only Course winch would SECURE its success. tie
said that there several senators whose support
could on he gained by An amendment OF the resou
lions: tia, the friends Of the Resolutions as they
stood, seemed bent upon forcing the measure upon
The senaie in this FORM reck less OF consequences
and that the only plan IL prevent rum, was To meet
the adyGaes VI the house resolutions, wilha spir'
and determination decided as their own, and lo'ce
them TO compromise.
did rol al that time concur in The policy of thu
COURSE and 50 informed The Governor. lie then ~
sured me thai he would IN event permit hIs vot
10 deleM the measure.
The night Of the final passage of the resolution
presented ii thrilling scene in The sen,ie chamber
| Gov Bsghy had the floor, and proceeded in IA mos
energetic and mpassoned manner To denounce TN
pan of annexation by act Oi congress, and TO advo
cate the propreiy of proceeding by treaty III
speech was Il very singular one, and seemed Il
abound in contradictions. At one moment he wou'
hold oul The strongest inducements Tor the acquisi
ton Of Texas in the abstract; aud in the next, IL
esi inyectiye and sarcasm. The secret purpose Il
this course was not understood but by very few OF tn
, spectators. The galleries were crowded win pep
pie, all of whom seemed 10 be in Stale oil high ex
element In the lobby you could see IN groups. III
Alabama members Of the house and others, ialkin
most earnestly and casting The angriest glances Il
The "recreant' senator. In his large arm chair
the right of the President seat, Dixon H. Lew il
sat frowning like a Numidian lion. The excitemen
was universal and most intense. FROM almost ever
lip, the ejaculation was uttered, TEXAS 's lost!
Sometime after Governor Dagby had conclude
this speech, Senator Walker Of Mississippi, the Ala,
lebanon of Annexation, submitted an amendment 1
the House resolutions providing for the exercise
the treaty plan, an alternative, at the option
the President. This amendment had been agree
upon in caucus, by the Democrats who were oppose
10 the House resolutions, their uhimatum; and
was to secure its adoption that Gov. Bagby mad
his speech 1t must be confessed that he undertook
dangerous part, but il produced the desired effect
Governor Bagbys speech has never yet been pub
lished in full, but it taken down perbafim. by
reporter al the time. and AIN satisfied that when
il published and read " i'm an understanding Of ih
facts have stated, that it will be regarded as on
} Of the most cunning and exper. pieces Of specia
J pleading, which has been made.
II is now generally conceded in this city, and b
the northern papers that Gov Bagby's course secur
ed the passage Of the resolutions. Annexation woul
have otherwise been defeated, until the next sessio
-
There is perhaps another secret connected wit
Gov. Bagby's course, which ought to be explained
10 deter mine his motives. 1t Is well known tina
there contest between two wings Of the demn
cratic army, the Calhoun and Benton divisions a
they ARE called, for the honor Of consummatng thl
measure. They both in favor OF annexatio
upon "proper principles" The utmost jealousy an
rivalry existed between these hostile wings. Nethe
would consent see the others brow "bound wit
victorious wreaths." Both were honestly in iavo
of the acquisition of Texas but they could not agre
apon the mode. Gov. Bagby, 70 some extent, shar
ed in these feelings, and doubt that they color
cd and influenced his course, to no limited degree
Although my own sympathes were all counter to hi
in that family quarrel, yet l cannot but admit III
honesty and sincerity Of those who were not wilin
10 award all the ''honor" we'll "trcks" TO tli
"chivalry wing" Nor that this domestic feud III,
ceased; as it was compromised, by the Siamsse lorr
gwen 10 The resolutions in the senate;-l think tina
Governor Bagby, who did more than any one else
effect Cancellation, should not he made the sictiI
and sacrifice of this political covenant.
In support of the views which have here present
ed, may say that Gov. Bagby, las l understand, ha
letters and statements in writing. from aenai0rs o.
both sides, which will substantiaie the opinion no,
becoming general, Of the honesty, fidelity and bene
fetal results of his course.
What have here written, has been induced b.
nothing upon the part Of Governor Bagby, hut ha
been expressed, from my own sense of justice, AM
at the request Of several Aabamans who have bee
in the city OF Washingon This summer. | hope tina
it may be instrumental in placing tho conduct Of on
senator in proper light before the people, and il
doing usics to who has certainly been attacked
with u severity not warranted by his course.
/ A. b. Nj.
i THE PHILADELPHIA RIoTs.--The Inquire
OF Monday says:
Il The recent ouirages committed by portion o
the fremen, have again elected from the community
IL