Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-11-24

glorys-the Lower Mississippi awakened
HE npprehensions for the safety Of that most
vulnerable point Of our frontier. Justly and
truly, but with refinement Of artihce in this
case, il presented annexation as a Strengthening
plaster to the Union, while really intended 10
sectonalize il, and to effect disunion If the an
nexaiion failed. This idea Of strengthening
the Union had, and in itself deserved 10 have,
an inycible charm for the veteran patriot. Be-
sides, the recovery of Texas was in the line
of his policy. pursued by him as favori,e OBJ
ject during his administration and this desire
10 get back that country, patriotic in itself, was
entirely compatible with his acquiescence in
its relinquishment as a temporary sacrifice In
lSi0 an acquiescence induced BY the ''domes-
tie'' reason communicated to him by Mr.. Mon
roe.
The great point in sending the Gilmer let.
ter TO him, with its porienls Of danger from
British designs was to obtain from him the ex-
preston Of an opinion in favor of''immediate"
annexation. No other opinion would do any
good. A future annexation, no matter how
soon afier 1874, would carry the question be-
yond the Presidential election, and would fall
} 10 with the known opinions Of Mr.. Van Buren
and MIR. Clay, and most other American states
men, the common sentiment being for annexa-
linn when X could be honestly accomplished
! Such annexation would make no issue at ALL
1t would throw Texas out Of the canvass. In
mediate was, therefore, the game and TO bring
! General Jackson TO that poin, was the object.
= To do that, the danger Of British occupation
was presented as being so imminent as TO ad-
/ nit Of no delay, and so disastrous in its con-
: sequei,ce as to preclude all consideration Of
present objections II was bold conception,
: and Of critical execution. Jackson was one Of
: the last men in tho world 10 be tampered with
{ one Of the last to be used against friend
or for foe--the very last TO be willing to see
/, Mr.. Calhoun, Presideut-and the very first in
: favor Of Mr.. Van Buren. To turn him against
g his nature and his feelings in all these pariieu-
e lars was perilous enterprise but it was at
y tempted-and accomplished.
{ 1t has already been shown that the letter Of
D Mr.. Gilmer was skilfuly composed for its pur-
d pose all the accessories of its publication and
i transmission to General Jackson. were equally
8 skilfuliy con,rived. II was addressed to a
|, friend in Maryland, which was in the opposite
/ direction from the locus Of It's origin. Il was
o drawn out upon the call Of friend that Is
!. the technical way Of getting a private letter
,, before the public. II was published in Bati-
l. more---a city where its writer did not liye.-
10 And thus the accessories Of the publication
h were complete. and left the mind without sus-
ID picion that the letter had germinated in warm
f. Southern latitude. Ii was then ready to star
10 on its mission to General Jackson but how ic
X get there, without exciting suspicion, was ihs
ID question. Certainly Mr.. Gilmer would have
u been the natural agent for the transmission o.
sp bs SsDod s: aIeSo ,SS sUse q Mr.
9, to make that a safe adventure. A medium wa,
"a wanted. which wnld ha ---i--.--
E. letter and a non-conducior Of suspicion and i
n was found in the person Of Mr.. Aarvn v
10 Brown. Bot he was the friend Of Mr.. Var
Iy Buren, and il was necessary to approach hin
III through a medium also, and one was found il
Is one of Mr.. Gilmer's olleagues-believed to be
ly Mr. Hopkins Of The House, who came from
lie near the Tennessee line and through him the
h letter reached Mr.. Brown.
Ie And thus, conceived by one, written by anoth-
er, published by a third, and transmitted
p through two successive mediums, the missivt
IN went upon its destination. and arrived safely il
to the hands Of General jackson. II had a com
'g pletc success. He answered !, promptly, warm
k ly, decidedly, afirmaiively. So fully did i
IN put him up 10 the point Of immediate" an
I'd nexaton, that his impatience out-stripped ex
v pecta,ion. lie counsslled has,e-consideres
I'd the present the accepted timc-and urged III,
W seizure Of the "golden opportunity" which, j
k, lost now, might never return. The answe
s- was dated At she Hermitage, March, ~, isi3
- and was received at Washington as soon as tn
20 mail could fetch il. OF course it came TO MIR
n, Brown, TO whom il belonged, and to whom j
I'd was addressed but did not hear Of il in hi
T. hands. My first information Of it was in thi
IL hands Of Mr.. Gilmer, in the hall ofthe House
O. Immediately after its arrivai-he crossing th'
n hall with the letter in his hand, greatly eated
lg and showing il to confidential friend, will
iy many expressions Of now confident triumph
p over Mr.. Van Buren,. The friend was permit
s, ted TO read the letter. but with the understand
IS ing that nothing was TO be said about il, at ,ha
time.
IL Mr.. Gilmer then explained TO this friend tn
Ill purpose for which this letter had been wriuel
~ and sent 10 General jackson, and the use tina
de was intended TO be made of his answer, (if "a
1t vorable 10 the designs Of the authors,) whic
was this Il was 10 be produced In The nomi
lis mating convention to overthrow Mr.. Van Bure
he and give Mr.. Calhoun the nomination, both Q
X whom were to be intenogaled beforehand an
he as il was well known what the answers woul
of be--Calhoun for and Van Buren, against in
Of mediate annexaiion--and Jacksons answer &C
lis NEEDING with Calhonn's, would turn the seal
IT, in his favor, "and blow Van Buren sky high.
he This was the plan. and this the state Of ih
al r. k..s