Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-05
MIR. CALHOUN TO MR.. KING.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washinqton, Auqist IL, 1874.

the President, who instructs me to make known
to you that he has read it with much pleasure,
! especially the portion which relates to your
cordial reception by the King, and his assur.
ance of friendly feelings towards the United
States The President in particular highly APP
preciates the declaration of the King, that in
no event would any steps be taken by his gov
eminent in the slightest degree hostile, or which
would give to the United States just cause OF
complaint. 1t was the more gratifying from the
fact that our previous information was calcu,
lated to make the impression that the govern
ment of France was prepared to unite with
Great Britain in joint protest against the an
neXation of Texas, and joint effort to induce
her government to withdraw the proposition to
annex, on condition that Mexico should be
made to acknowledge her independence He
is happy to infer from your despatch that the
information, as far as II relates to France, is,
in all probability, without foundation. You
did not go further than you ought in assuring
the King that the object of annexation would
be pursued with undated vigor, and in giving
! your opinion that decided majority OF the
American people were in its favor and that
it would certainly be annexed at no distant day.
| | feel confident that your anticipation will be
| fully realized at no distant period. Every day
| will tend to weaken that combination OF po-
litical causes which led to the opposition of the
measure, and to- strengthen the conviction that
it was not only expedient but just and neces-
sary.
| You were right in making the distinction
between the interest of France and England in
reference to Texas-or rather, / would say, the
| apparent interests of the two countries France
cannot possibly have any other than CONNER
cial interest in desiring to see her preserve her
separate Independence while it is certain that
| England looks beyond, to political interests, to
which she apparently attaches much impor-
lance. But, in our opinion, the interest OF both
against the measure is more apparent than real I;
and that neither France, England, nor even
Mexico herself has any in opposition to it,
when the subject is fairly viewed and considered
| in its whole extent and in all its bearings.
Thus viewed and considered, and assuming
that peace the extension of commerce, and Sc
curity, are objects of primary policy with them,
it may, as it seems to me, be readily shown that
the policy on the part of those powers which
would acquiesce in measure SO strongly de-
sired by both the United States and Texas, for
their mutual welfare and safety, as the annexa-
ton of the latter to the former, would be far
more promotive of these great objects than that
which would attempt to resist it.
| 1t is impossible to cast a look at the map of
the United States and Texas and to note the
long, artificial, and inconvenient line which di-
! vides them, and then to take into consideration
the extraordinary increase of population and
growth of the former, and the source from
which the latter must derive its inhabitants, in
stitutions and laws, without coming to the con-
clusion that it is their destiny to be united, and,
of course, that annexation is merely question
of time and mode. Thus regarded, the question
to be decided would seem to be- whether it
would not be better to permit it to be done now,
with the mutual consent Of both parties and
the acquiescence ofthese powers than to attempt
to resist and defeat it. If the former course be
adopted, the certain fruits would be the preser-
walton of peace, great extension OF commerce
by the rapid settlement and improvement of
Texas, and increased security, especially to
Mexico. The last, in reference to Mexico, may
be DOUBTED: but hold it not less clear than
the other two.
1t would be a great mistake to suppose that
this government has any hostile feelings to-
wards Mexico, or any disposition to aggrandize
itself at her expense. The fact is the very re-
verse.
1t wishes her well, and desires TO sec her set
tied down in peace and security; and is pre-
pared, in the event of the annexation OF Texas
if not forced into conflict with her, to propose
to settle with her the question of boundary, and
all others growing out of the annexation, on
the most liberal terms. Nature herself has
clearly marked the boundary between her and
Texas by natural limits too strong to be mis-
taken. There are few countries whose limits
are so distinctly marked; and it would be our
desire, if Texas should he united to us, to see
them firmly established, as the most certain
means Of establishing permanent peace between
the two countries, and strengthening and &C.
menting their friendship. Such would be the
certain consequence of permitting the annexa-
ton to take place now, with the acquiescence
of Mexico; but very different would be the case
if it should be attempted to resist and defeat 1T,
whether the attempt should be successful for
the present or not. Any attempt of the kind
would, not improbably, lead to a conflict be-
tween US and Mexico, and involve consequences,
in reference to her and the general peace, long
to be deplored on all sides, and difficult to be
repaired But should that not be the case, and
the interference of another power defeat the an
nexaton for the present, without the Interrupt
ton of peace, il would but postpone the conflict,
aud render it more fierce and bloody whenever
| it might occur Its defeat would be attributed
| to enmity and ambition on the part of that
power by whose interference it was occasioned,
and excite deep jealousy and resentment on the
| part Of our people, who would be ready to seize
the first favorable opportunity to effect by force
what was prevented from being done peaceably
by mutual consent. 1t is not difficult to see
how greatly such conflict, come when it
might, would endanger the general peace, and
how much Mexico might be the loser by it.
| IN the mean time, the condition of Texas
would be rendered uncertain, her settlement
and prosperity in consequence retarded and
her commerce crippled, while the general peace
would be rendered much more insecure. 1t
como npt but greatly affect us. If the annexa
ton of Texas should permitted 10 take place
peaceably now, las 1t would, without the inter
ference of other powers the energies of our
people would for a long time TO come, be di-
rected to the peaceable pursuits of redeeming
and bringing within the pale of cultivation, i'm
provements, and civilization, that large portion
of the continent lying between Mexico on one
side, and the British possessions on the other,
which is now, with little exception, wilderness
with sparse population, consisting, for the
mos, pant, Of wandeIing Indian tribes.
10 On tf,n mai Nns