Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-01-20
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,


sending to the clerk and asking him to read an
extract from this letter.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, August g. 1913.
Sir: private letter from citizen IN Maryland,
then in London, contains the following passage:
81 learn from source entitled to the FULLEST conhd
ence that there is now here a MIR Andrews, deputed
by the Abolitionists of Texas to negotiate with the
British government; that he has seen Lord Aberdeen
and submitted his pred for the abolition OF slavery III
Texas; which is THAT there shall be organized com
pany in England who shall advance a sum suhclent
to nav for the slaves now in Texas and receive In pay
ment Texas land that the thus advanced shall be
paid over as an indemnity for the abolition OIL slavery
and am authorized by the Texan Minister to say to
YOU, that Lord Aberdeen has agreed that the British
government will guarantee the payment of the interest
on this loan upon condition that the Texan govern
ment will abolish slavery"
This proposition it will be SEEM was exceedingly
simple and easy to be understood 1t announced, not
that there scheme on foot among a set OF tana
cal politicians to decoy away the slaves, not to steal
them nothing ofthat sor-but proposition had been
entertained, by which the government and savehod-
ers of Texas agreed to abolish slavery and Tor TINS a.
greement on their part it SAID that company had
agreed to advance stipulated price. What right had
our government to interfere? The Secretary says "a
movement Of this sort nnot be contemplated IN sill
ence" agree it should not; but what should every
scheme of this kind was on foot? Should they not
have burst ont in thankful aspirations to Almighty
God, that such scheme of benevolenCe as that had
even been thought Of think the Secretary says well
in saying that they could not LOOK on in silence
The Secretary farther says, "such an attempt upon
any neighboring country would necessarily be viewed
by this government with very deem concern"
Certainly, they should have looked on with deep
concern deep as that with which affection watches
by the side of dying love, now gathering hope from
the symptoms, that the smiles of health will again
smooth the cheek of love, and then trembling lest the
pail Of despair should settle OH our hopes.
Again, he says cit cannot be permitted to succeed
without the most strenuous efforts our part to arrest
calamity serious to every part of our country so
serious to New Hampshire, to Massachusetts, and the
other New England States. And, sir, this bill which
is now before you Is one of the measures which to
be adopted to redeem the pledge thus made. In the
same letter it is said:
"rhe establishment, in the very midst of slave
holding States, of an independent government, forbid
ding the existence Of slavery, and by people born
for the most part among us, reared up In our habits
and speaking our language, could not fail to produce
the most unhappy effects upon both parties"
When saw it formally announced by the govern
ment that it could not produce any but unhappy eff
fects" thought that was mistaken in the reading.
thought must be mistake of the printer but found
that it mistake, that the announcement was re-
ally made. What mistake then did the Pilgrim
Fathers make in coming to founda colony in the New
World where they might avoid the consequences OF
Slavery. Had they not Slavery enough at home, that
they babe farewell to every thing that bound their hearts
TO the land of their brth-the land where the bones Of
their fathers reposed-and came over and founded the
institution of American Slavery? Was it for this that
the May Flower sailed from the coast where Slavery
prevaled Was for this that those patriots wandered
from England to Holland and from Holland here? Ir
Heavens name was not Eng land oppressive enough:
One more extract and leave the letter.
"Few calamities could betal this country to be
deploed than the establishment ola predominant Brit
ish influence and the abolition of domestic slavery il
Texas"
Few caamtss could befal the country like this!
had understood, up to the time when | read th'
declaration, that the institution of slavery for good
bad, a state institution. thought it was one which
the General government had no right to touch. Eve
rythng that had ever heard upon the subject hat
tended to take that institution from the cognzanCe
the general government and make it exclusively sub
ject of state policy. But here find it baptlsed ant
made of the gods, before which the whole people
are to bow down and worship
From this cause whether remote or immediate, th
war proceeded. Can any man deny this? We may
have our doubts whether, if there had been eau
ton and prudence, this would have been precipi
tatod upon us at so early period. But is it not evi
dent that the whole matter springs from this Wa;
not annexation itself an act of war! War existing
between Mexico and Texas at the time. By the very
fact of annexng to ourselves one Of the beligerent nj
tions incurred the responsibility offghtng her bat
ties. Ii this, then, be the cause of the war, | come
next to the question how this war commenced? We'll
sir it may seem exceeding y strange that one SHOULD
be found asking that question at this time, when h
President has told us over and over again 50 many
times how it commenced-that it commenced by the
act of Mexico Said the President in his Message tC
Congress Of the nth May, 1876:
"ln my message at the commencement Of the pres
en session, informed you that, upon the earnest ap
peal both of the Congress and Convention of Texas
had ordered an efficient military force to take posi-
ton between the Nucces and the Del Norte' This
had become necessary, to meet theaned invasion 0
Texas by the Mexican forces, for which extensive mil
itary preparation had been made. The invasion wa
threatened solely because Texas had determined, il
accordance with solemn resolution of the Congress
of the United Statcs to annex herself to our Union
and, under these circumstances, plainly our du
ty to extend our protection her citizens and soil
"This force was concentrated at Corpus Christi, anC
remained there until after had received such inform
alton, from Mexico rendered it probable if not Ger
tain that Mexican government would refuse to receive
our Envoy
"Meantime, Texas by the final action of our Con
gress had become au integral part of our Union. The
Congress of Texas, by its act of December 10, 1886
had declared the Rio del Nore to be the boundary o.
that Republic. Its jurisdiction had been extended anC
exercised beyond the Nueces. The country between
that river and the Del Norte mad been represented il
the Congress and in the Conventono of Texas had thu:
taken part in the act of annexation ITSELF and is now
included within of our Congressional Districts
Our own Congress had, moreover, with great unani
nifty, by the act approved December 81, l845 recogn
lzed the country beyond the Nueces as part of on
territory, by including it within own revenue sys
TEN; and officer to reside within that district
has been appointed, by and with the advice and con
sent of the Senate 1t became, therefore, Of urgen
necessity to provide for the defence of that portion
our country. Accordingly, on the 18th of January
last, instructions issued to the General in com
mand Of these troops to occupy the left bank of TIT
Del Norte"
And in his annual message to Congress on the ST.
of December, 1876 he repeats the assertion, and he
not only repeats the declaration that war exists by thu
act of Mexico but he says every honorable effect ha
been made by him to prevent the war; but all proved
in vain, and the has come, Notwithstanding he wal
SO exceedingly opposed to it. Now desire to exam
Inc this matter. The President is not satisfied will
thus telling US that the war arose from the act of Mex
ico and that ne had used every honorable exerton t.
avoid it He comes forward in his message this yea
and tells us fourteen times distinctly and several time
implicitly, that it arose from the act of Mexico