The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-03
1923

the President Of Texas; and by this English captain
these documents were presented; and now must
add, that this English captain, IN presentingto
president these four, articles did by no means limit
himself 10 the suggestion Of counsel; but, on the
contrary, IL appears from a letter Of the American
charge dataires 10 the Secretary Of State at Wash
lngton, "that the minister Of France al Mexico was
tne intermediate agent through whom these eommu-
h'ea,ions OF the Mexican government were made 10
enc rn; brush officer, The English agent, Captain
S-lou, VINO recently returned 10 Mexico, and few
aays since quilted this place, has informed Presi-
uons zones uha' he must regard war as the
quouce OF determination 70 accept the annexation
proposed by the United States -
mus .he English ambassador did not eonfne
himself TO eousses; he represented Frnncs in m.
natter he was tbs bearer of dsspatohes from m.
French charge d'afiares the President of re-.
and when he delivered that despatch ba sdJsJ
TO II menaees Of war. He went so far in ,hsse
that 1t appears by a correspondence under date of
the llth Of June, now in my possession. thai the
Texan government asked protection from the United
States against the threats held out TO it, and repeat
ed by the English charge dafairss, Captain Elliott;
IN view Of which, the minister Of the United States
at Texas asks that authority should be given TO
order troops and a squadron for the protection Of
Texas IN her liberty. On the 2ad Of June, the
Texan Congress held It's deliberations, and, on the
I'D OF June, We received that notice, 90 hule fat
tenng 10 ourselves, that the negotiations proposed
oy France The articles presented by France TO Mex
leo, and borne by the English agent, were unani-
mously relesled But, on the lih Of June, protec-
ton demanded to sustain the freedom OF tbe de-
liberation Of the Texan Congress. The result of
the whole negotiation, then, has been this: France
without any special interest for herself In the mat
Ter, IN obedience TO adespaich OF The British zoysrn-
ment sent 10 her agents instructions IN ooniou,itv-
with those received by the British agents from their
government Then VIC did not limit ourselyes tn
the giving Of COUNSEL We entered into negotiatio,
with the agents Of Mexico. The result of these
negotiations was borne 10 the Texan government
and this despatch Of the treaty was accompanied by
threats of the British agent--threats which saluBod
The President Of the Unied States 10 be called upon
TO protect Texas; aud at the end OF fifteen months
all this action on the part Of France resulted only
IN refusal on the part OF Texas Our efforts
were unanimously rcpulsed by the Texan Con-
gress
must, moreover, and much more regret, in the
progress OF this negotiation az credit is 10 be lyen
TO grave American document, despatch OF Mr.
Calhoun) that, not only were we IN the wrong to
engage IN combustion with the English government
IN an affair which was All act Of opposition and OF
hostility towards the United States-not only were
we "a the wrong IN embracing this poliey-in taking
thls his' aleP IN line OF policy which the minister
now wishes the chamber 10 ratify hut guptlemen
ana mark this vel, we were also nor, doeply in
the wrong IN not guarding completely the honor Of
sincerity and OF good faith.
In fact, on the 18th Of January, 1884, the minister
Of foreign affairs wrote TO the French Ambassador
at London that the Instructions given by France 10
It's agents IN Texas, would surely be in conformity
to those which England would send TO its own agents
and that the same system Of opposition 10 annoxa-
uon would be entered upon. On the 10Th of Feb
ruary, 1874, despatch transmitted TO MIR.
Pageot containing instructions To make known the
opposition Of France to the anne aton Of Texas;
and yet see, under date of the month OF August
Of that same year, (lSiI) u despatch from Mr..
Calhoun, the Secretary OF State Of the United
States, addressed TO the American minister in France
N which occurs the following passage:
"We had some reason to fear that France would
unite with England in opposition TO the annexation
OF Texas; we had some reason TO fear that France
might lnterpose in what is going on at Mexico, To
,ause that government to recognise the indopend-
encs OF Texas; but the assurances which you have
received from the French government reassure me
on this point, and prove to me that such fears
groundleSs. You were, moreover, right in assuring
the French government that the question Of annex
alton was to be promptly adjusted, and that annexa-
usn is here pursued with the greatest viyor.n
comprehend all this, save that part OF il which
do not believe compatible with the dignity Of our
country l do not believe it compatible with our
dignity to have entered upon an affair in which we
bad no interest," and to have entered upon by COM
plaisance | do not believe il compatible with our
dignity to have not only not limited our parli. pa
ton in an affair which was foreign to us, which was
an act Of hostility against another country to mere
counses, but to have entered upon the affair by ne
gotiatons also, and thus to have assumed the re-
sponsiblity Of threats which we did not make, but
which were made by the man who bore the de-
spatches of France. do not believe il compatible
with our dignity to have taken any resolution what
soever as to the course Of conduct bs purssed in
regard TO Texas and then TO have left the United
States in error as to the position which France in
tended to assume. Before all the nations Of the
world, France should always have policy Of her
N lev nj lle hui bar md Ia
gtmate interests; and because she should have such
such policy, she should say what she wishes, how
she wishes il, and how she intends TO carry her
wishes into effect. [Appause.l
say that this affair of Texas, this first step as
which he wishes us To adont to-day Is nm
affair unfortunate in all regards, and which should
cause legitimate anxiety as to the course which he
will follow when interests still greater may be OPEN
ed, and, perhaps, will soon be opened before