The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-07-15

throughout the continent The scheme WIS
to abolish slavery in Texas as the most GER
tain means of doing so in the United States,
and that Of doing it throughout the conti-
nent. To consummate this grand and we'll
Ibid scheme, il WIS Indispensable that Texas
shonld be prevented from being annexed 10
our Union; while the only possible way to
defeat it and prevent the mighty consa-
quences which would flow from it, was the
annexation of Texas.
The course of the British Government at
IN early stage of the negotiation, made it
manifest that it had warmly and fully en-
braced the scheme. The declaration made
by its minister at Washington to onr Govern
ment before it had firly commenced copy
ii which was left at the Department OF State
after entered on its duties,) left not a doubt
on that point. 1t indeed, as we'll as avowed
it, by declaring that Great Britain desired
10 see slavery abolished in Texas and through
out the world, and that she WAS using con.
slant efforts 10 effect it, by inference, that
she was using her influence aud diplomacy
with Mexico to agree to recognize the inde-
pendence of Texas, on condition that they
| should aOOliSn slavery.
saw in this declaration, thus formllly
m1de to our governm ant, confirmation OF
what believed to be her scheme of policy
in connection with Texas. from other bu
less conclusive evidence in my possession.
| saw also clearly, that whether 1t should
succeed or not, depended on the fact whethar
Texas should or should not be annexed;
and that if 1t succeeded, its inevtable con-
sequences would be the final consummition,
of her great and deep design, TO be followed
| by the desoluton of the south, the proslra-
ion of the commerce and prosperity OF the
continent, with monopoly on her plrt OF the
great trop;col products of sugar, coffee, rice,
tobacco and cotton, which are almost exclus-
lively, as far as this continent is concerned,
the result of slave labor.
Seeing all this, the question presented to
me- WIS how shall the declar,tion of the Br-
fish government be met? Shall the silently
pissed over, leaving annexltion to be urged
on other and different grounds, or shtll it b.
directly and boldly met and exposed?
1t is not in my ,tnre to hesitate between
such alternatives. My conviction is deep,
that truth, honesty and plain dealing is the
true policy on all occasions in the mlnage-
ment of public afflirs, including dipomltic,
and resolved, without. hesitl lton, to take
them as my guides on this msm,r,hle occl-
sion. Tne daf,a, of this de,p lid schems;
the SUCCESS of annexation (ts my now b.
almost certainly sld,) the vndicition of the
great institution on which our safety depends,
and the rescue of the commerce OF the con-
tnonl from the grasp Of commercial monopo-
ly, have been the result, and may adj, as
fir as am individually concerned, your ap-
probllion. that Of The meeting you represent; /;
and if my julg, from indications Early OF
the wholo country now of my co lrs..
But at the time the appreciation was not so
unanimous. Denunciation then, loud and
deep, fell on my head
was charged with Introducing new local
subject of little importance into the Texan
issue, with the base design of injuring ths
prospect of one of the presidential cand,-
dates, and of dissolving the Union? Ani
many, who did not go as far, even southern
men whose all was at stake, thought that
acted inudiciously in Introducing the slave
question and giving it such prominence; thai
il WIS calcullted 10 have bud purity effect
and to drive off some of the party who were
not sound on the subject OF abolition, or VINO
desired to obtain the votes of abol'lion'sts.
But pass them without reInatk or comment
now, when time and experience and the APP
probation of the country sanction the wisdom
of the course | adoped aa
The absorbing character of the negotiation
n in reference to Texas, did not so engross my
attention as to neglect that of Oregon. AS
soon as the former was sufficiently d spliched
and the business of the department. broughl
up. entered on that; | left in an unfinished
state, and as it is still pending, | am not al
liberty to speak of the course took In rel J.
renee to il ); but | trust, when it comes to ba
made public, it will not be less successful
. in meeting your appreciation and that OF the
country generally. 1t is subject not with.
ou, great difficulties; and feel assured
shall be pardoned for expressing hope thai
it my be so conducted by those to whose
hands it is entrusted TO faish the negotiation
as to bring it to successful and slt'sflc
tory termination, and thus avoid an appeal tf
arms. Neither country can possibly gam
| any thing by snch an appeal, or Gun possibly
desire il, ifit can be honorably avoided.
In conclusion, I assure you and throngl
Won those you represent, TINT it would aft, ,rd
me great pleasure to partake of the publ''
! dinner you. have rendered me in their nun,
. and of forming the personal acqna ntance OF
nv numerous friends in you city; but 1t y
not now in my power. 1t is probable,s how
, ever, shall visit my son vino resides in you
State some time next auumn; and IN 'na
event, / will made it point 10 visit Mobile
q when shall be happy to meet yon and al