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

leagues Of 1871 leii their places, now resigned
his place, also--induced, as twas well known,
by the altered department Of the President To-
wards him and was succeeded first by Mr..
Lepare Of South Carolina, and, on his early
death, by Mr.. Upshur of Virginia.
Mr.. Webster was inhexibly opposed 10 the
Texas annexation, and also 10 the presidential
elevation Of Mr.. Calhoun the two gentlemen,
his successors, were both favorable TO annexa-
tiun, and one (Mr. Upshur) extremely so to
Mr.. Calhoun 80 that here were two steps la
ken in the suspected dIection--an obstacle re-
moved and facility substituted. This change
in the head Of the State Department, upon
whatever motive produced, was indispensable
to the success Of the Texas movement and
could only have been made for some great cause
never yet explained, seeing the service which
Mr.. Webster did Mr.. Tyler in remaining with
him when the other ministers Withdrew. Ano,h-
er sign appeared in the conduct OF the Presi-
dent himself. He was undergoing another
change. Long Democrat, and successful in
getting Office at that, he had become Wing,
and with still greater success. Democracy had
carried him to the Senate Whiegism elevated
him 10 the Vice-Presdency and with the help
Of an accident, TO the Presidency. He was
now settling back, as shown in aprevous chap
ter, towards his original party, but that wing
Of il which had gone off with Mr.. Calhoun in
the notification war--a natural line Of retro
gression on his part, as he had travelled it in
his transit from the Democratic 10 the Wing
camp. The papers in his interest became ram
pant for Texas, and in the course Of the au-
tumn, the rumor became current and steady
that negotiations were in progress for the an
nexaiion, and that success was certain.
Arriving at Washington at the commence
ment Of the session OF 1854, and descend
ing the steps Of the Capitol in a throng oi
members on the evening Of tile first days sit
ting, was accosted by Mr.. Aaron V. Brown,
a representative from Tennessee, with expires
sions of great qualification at meeting with me
so soon; and who Immediately showed the
cause of his qualification to be the opportunity
ii afforded him to speak to me on the subject o
the Texas annexation. He spoke Of it as al
impending and probable event--complimenteS
me on my early opposition to the relinquish
ment Of that country, and my subsequent effort
TO get il back, and did me the honor to say that
as such original enemy 10 its loss and early nd
vocate Of its recovery, was proper person Il
take prominent part in now getting IT back
All this was very civil and quite reasonable
and at another time and under other circum
stances, would have been entirely agreeable l.
me; but, pre-occupied as my mind was vii,
a the idea Of an intrigue, for the Presidency, an
a land and scrip speculation which ! saw mix
ing itself up with it, and feeling as il | was i
be made an instrument in these schemes, too
FIRE at his words, and answered abruptly an
holly That it icas on the part Of some, an in
the Union-on the part Of others, Tsras scri
and land speculation and that ,ras against ii
This answer went into the newspapers, an
- was much noticed at the time, and immediate
ly set up a high wall between me and the an
: nexation party. had no thought at The tim
that Mr.. Brown had been moved by any bod
to sound me, and presently regretted the warmt
's with which had replied to him-especially a
'e no part Of what said was intended to appl
to him. The occurrence gave rise to som
=. sharp words at one another Afterwards, whic
so far as they were sharp on my part, hay
since condemned, and do not now repeat.
Some three months afterwards there az
q peared in the Richmond Enquirer letter frof
+ General Jackson to Mr.. Brown, in answer {
one from Mr.. Brown to the General, coverin
IS a copy of Mr.. Gilmer's Texas letter, and ash
d ing the favor Of his (the Generally opinion O
D. it, which he promptly and decidedly gave, an
T. fully in favor OF its object. Here was res
N elation and coincidence which struck me, an
Is put my mind to thinking, and opened up a ne,
+ vein Of exploration, into which went 10 worl
$, and worked on until obtained the secret hi
A. tory of the famous jackson Texas letter :
7, las il came TO be called, } aud which played 8
is large a part in the Texas annexation question
t. and in the Presidential election Of 1874, an
o. which drew so much applause upon the Gene
v, eral from many who had so lately and so bi
a. ierly condemned him. This history now pr,
in pose to give, confning the narrative to the il
l. triQue for the Presidential nomination, leavin
at the history of the attempted annexation (ireal
H. of Is44l for separate chapter, or rather char
% ters, for il was an enterprise of many aspecl