Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-07
SEVEN DAYS LATER FROM FlI.
ROPE


/ FROM THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
| AS matter Of history, we re-publish fom
the Austin (Texas) New Era, the following
eloquent and beautiful letter of Gen'l JAMES
HAMILroH. 1t win be seen that he takes
ground somewhat new, (it is certainly very
bold,) viz that the Government of the u States
cannot morally and in good faith take the rev,
enues Of Texas received from customs, with.
out providing for the bonds issued By tie iste
Republic, for the payment Of which the reYe.
nues whore solemny pledged Its said iAa,
out Of debt Of ten millions, the revenues have
been pledged for about two millions.
As many of the citizens of Virginia are in.
terested in the securities Of Texas, we have
thought that they would be pleased to examine
the views Of so able and distinguished ciIizen
or Texas as Gen. HAMILTON:
AusrIs, March 20, lss6
To the Hen. EDWARD BuRLEsoN,
| Presidentefthe Senate Of the Stale Of Ifsa
/ SiR--I cannot leave the seat OF Govefnmen,
ofyour State, without returning my most CRATE
full and respectful acknowledgements to tie
body over which you preside, for the very dis
ltinguished honor they have done me, by adop-
ing with an unanimity which greatly enhan-
ces its value, a resolution expressive Of the
gratitude Of the people Of Texas for my early
friendship to the country, my defence Of the
character Of its people in the Legislature Of
South Carolina, and Gas the Senate is pleased
to say, for my ability and success in procuring
a recognition of your independence by some d
the principal powers ofEnrope.
With whatever ability my negotiations may
have been conducted, will not be guilty Of the
absurd aifectation of saying that ! do not feel
that have a just claim to the residue Of the
applause which you have so generously accoT.
ded. Yes. sir, was your early and iastirend
when your Star rose over the surface OF these
verdant prairies, full Of the light reflected from
/ your arms. South Carolina had just emeiged
out Of the fearless struggle. which singlehan-
ded she waged, against the whole Union, in
defence ofthe Constitution olthe United States,
as expounded by him who drew the DecaIa.
| ton Of Independence, and those principles q
| free trade which are at once the vital elemea
and justreware Of human industry.
lconiess that flung myself, without scare
/ ly moments relaxation from the tolls OF q dls
tinguished post, which had occupied in my
own State, with an irrepressible enthuslasnin
your cause. independently OF the just sympa-
thy felt in your heroic struggle, | could not
but venture to anticipate that aehat we had con-
tended for in South Carolina was to be realized
in the suspicious fortunes which were draw
ing on your country.
My purse, pen and tongue, in the exercise
Of ALT the faculty ofspeech with which God
had endowed me, were dedicated to your ser
vice. My arm would not have been wanting
feeble asst may have been) ifthe reapers whom
you sent down to the harvest ofdeath, Of San
Jacinto, had left single enemy 70 subdue ora
"A 1. ~. ha4ilo
nothing for ambition to CLEAN.
or the events connected with my civil and
foreign services to the late Republic, am ad.
monlshed both ofthe propriery and delieayol
my being brief. Such as they were, theY were
rendered with fidelity and zeal. The reeogn-
ton Of your independence by Great Britain
gave YOU the sovereign faculty Of making the
compact Of annexation which you have con.
summated with the Government o. the United
States You, are, doubtless, aware thatmaD
millions of your public domain had been mort
gagged by The Government of Mexico 70 ne
British bond-holders; and but for the recRni.
ton of Great Britain Of your power 10 contract
treaties and form alliances, some very delicate
questions might have risen, or some new OF
complicated points Of public law, which me
sword alone could have solved.
lhhd htAI )od "A fNhAsAt ANsN -
explanation Of an apparent inconsistency tlai
l. who had been so strenuous an advocate loi
the recognition of your sovereignty and ihee'
pendence by other nations, should subsequent
" have been an ardent champion for their De-
ing merged Cat least in qualified sense) IN hs
government Of this coniederacy.
have never had an opportunity Of giving
This explanation. | will now do II briefly ana
explicitly. On my visit TO Europe in 1912, al
ter had ceased to have any official connex-
ion with your Government, satisfied myself
from the course Of public opinion there, thai
Texas, Independent, would soon become the
fnlcrum on which the lever of European POI
tics would pc planted; that out Of the Unlon 4
the vast preponderance Of European elnigTane
coming into her territory would sepcTate heTa
sympathy and affection from the people OF lae
United States; that in less than quarter o.
century, her interests would be PLAYED agalna
those Of our now common country, ana W.
she would soon become the Flanders Of As
North American States, at once an object y.
theatre for the struggles, ambition and pciN
Of other States. On my return from Eufope
passing through Washington in the auluA,
Of IS42. communicated these views to flea'
dent TYLER, and found they bad been antcps,
ted by his own patriotism, sagacity ana ~
ambition. Now that annexation has "
consummated. and the grave has elosedoYeiuS
bright and unfinished iabois of the lamehNs ,
and highly gifted Upshur, may say, Wi'hOe'
violating the semblance OF confidence, tna' y!
private correspondence with that genuenan
on this subject, would more entirely susaa
the opinions which have thus yen'uieu
give YOU a hasty sketch. These opinions ils,
not have belonged TO the comprehensiVe. M
Of n Statesman. who looks far into lutunly,Du
believe they will find response ID s'e'
American bosom. .;a,y
In reference to the subject Of ny pecunia
negotiations fer your government ! lAsgts II
a few words 10 say Money is undouoDuIs
very pleasant thing to possess, bn = i'T
q stale and fiat subiect to write about Ian
sufficient 70 say, that never negotiated -"