The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-27
From ths Union
TO thu Hditcr at tho uniou.

in nv hands the following extract from a
correspondent Of the Journal Of Commerce
Mr.. Benton proposed in his speech the
other day to give Texas fifteen millions; but
she will be content with ten, and her credi-
tors have agreed to take eight.
One Of the modes in which hostility to
any adjustment is manifested is by represen-
ting the offer to Texas as bribery and fraud;
and it is even alleged that members Of Con-
gress, and politicians Influential with Com
gress, are interested in Texas funds.
The charge comes from the Southern ul-
tras and the Northern Abolitionists. Mr..
Wallace, of South Carolina, makes it in his
letter to his constituents.
One Southern gentleman, who is as ultra
as Mr.. Wallace himself, and who was Sc
lected by the governor Of South Carolina as
the successor Of Mr.. Calhoun mean Gen
eral ia mes Hamilton--is said to be inter-
ested in or to represent portion Of the
stock. But no friends or promoters Of the
compromise scheme are at all interested in il,
SO far as have ever learned
It is only this morning that have been
able to obtaina copy Of the letter Of Mr..
Wallace to his constituents, to which the
above paragraphs refer.
Whether, in the language Of the New
York correspondent, am as ultra as Mr..
Wallace, think it needless to stop to in
quire; but if the comparison were reversed,
perhaps the constituents OF that gentleman
might regard it as a very equivocal sort Of
compliment to his discretion to be deemed as
ultra as myself.
AS, however, the very stringent bill Of in
dictment which Mr.. Wallace has preferred
against the bond-holders Of the late republic
Of Texas, the correspondent of the Journal Of
Commerce has applied somewhat personally
to myself, feelit duty ] owe at least to
the interests Of those represent. if not to
my own character, to notice as briefly as
possible Mr.. Wallace's letter.
do this in no spirit Of unkindness towards
that gentleman, whom know to be an able,
and believe to be singularly honest and
most worthy individual, not a little prone by
the force Of opinions honestly entertained, to
that occasional Inflammation to which we are
liable who happen to live in the parallel Of
80 deg. 80 min. ard in the 18th degree oflon-
gitude west of Greenwich. As no one has
probably suffered more under this fever than
myself, there can be none more ready to
forgive it in Others
will, moreover, do both Mr.. Wallace
and myself the justice to believe that the
paragraphs which ! am about to quote, and on
which | am about to comment, were written
without direct or even remote allusion to
myself. Our intercourse in this place has
been too kind and civil q may say, almost
at the death-bed Of our late iustrious and
distinguished countryman) to Justify such
belief. If | could entertain such an opin-
ion, think Mr. Wallace knows enough Of
me to be convinced that should not have
selected the columns Of your paper as a mode
of seeking either vindication or redress
What l am going to say shall be said
without one particle ofpe7sonal disrespect to
that gentleman; for however we South Caro-
linians may sometimes wrangle at homs,
when we are in land exterior to our own,
the generous and noble sympathies which
belong to the country which gave US birth,
unite us in fraternal affections which are sell
dom to be violated, or, if violated, their vio-
lation to be always deplored.
But Mr.. Wallace has made a very rough
onslaught on very unfortunate class Of
sufferers, known in common parlance as the
public creditors Of Texas, whose griefs,
without profane Interpolation, might con-
stitute new chapter in Job, if we could only
have the benefit Of the labors ofthat great and
inspired historian Of human wo. But as we
have no such help or appliances to boot, .
/ must perform this Office, however imper-
fect.y, myself.
In its performance, Mr.. Wallace must
not expect, as old Dennis says, to have sail
the horss playn to himself. "He who
plays at bowls must expect to meet with
rubbers." / say this, sir, without premedi-
tated vndictiveness or !" any malice afore-
thought; !" for assure you, in all sincerity,
considering the weakness Of Mr.. Wallace's
argument, j am somewhat relieved that he,
has not put more strength in his virtupera-
ton.
/ will now recall to your readers what Mr..
Wallace says on this subject.
1t will be seen by the length Of the quo
tation, am disposed to do entire justice to
the argument Of Mr.. Wallace, whatever
may be its force. He lays:
ssNext in order is the purchase from Texas,
slave State, Of 10000, 900 Ct acres. II
this territory be purchased, it will thereby
be taken out OF the compact of annexation,
and placed under the jurisdiction Of the Abo-
lition Government Of the United States; and
who can doubt for moment that slavery
will be abolished in it, and that it will be
formed into at least three free States, and
brought into the Unions--for they can get
into the Union no other way This is
one design Of the scheme. That is, take
the Texas territory, abolish slavery in it,
and dupe the South by making them con-
tribute their share out Of the public treasury
to pay for it. Mr. Clay holds to the doc
trine, that if it be purchased, slarery wiH
be excluded By Merican laws.
"There is another feature Of this PROPOSE
ton which will now bring to your notice.
When Texas was admitted into the Union,
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