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

against him, by the help Of General Jackson's
letter, aud the general sentiment in favor Of an
nexalion, and the fictitious alarm Of British ab-
clifton and hostile designs, he was able TO ap-
pear rs a champion Of Texas annexation, bafIl-
ing the old and consistent friends Of the meas
urc with the new form which had been given
to the question. Mr. Clay was Of this class =
OF all the public men ho was able ID present
the best and fairest Texas record lie wasu up-
posed to the loss Of the province in 1919, and
offered resolutions in the House Of Represents.
iives, supported by an ardent speech, in which
be condemned the treaty which gave il away. |
As Secretary Of State, under Mr. Adams, he |
had advised the recovery Of the province, and
opened ncgolia.ions to that effect, and wrote the
instructions under which Mr. Poinsett, the Unit !
ed States minister, made the attempt. As a
western Iiian, he was natural champion Of
great western interest--pre-eminently western,
while also national. He was intefrogated ac-
ccrding 10 the programme, and answered with
hrmness that, although an ancient and sieadfast
friend TO The recovery Of the country, he was
opposed 10 Immediate annexation, as adopting
the war with Mexico, and making that war by
treaty, when the war-making power belonged
TO Congress. There wese several other Dem
octaiic candidates, the whole Of whom were in
terrogaleJ, and answered promptly in favor Of
immediate annexalion@=ssome OF them improv-
ing their letters, as advised, before publication.
MIR Tyler, also, now appeared above the hori-
ron as a Presidential candidate, and need no in
ienogaiories to bring out his declaration for
immediate annexation, although he had voted
against Mr. Clay's resolutions condemning the
sacrifice Of the province. In word the Tex
as hobby was mul,iiudinously mounted and vio-
lently ridden, and most violently by those who
had been most indifferent to il before. Mr. Clay
and Mr. Van Buren were the only candidates
that answered like statesmen, and they were
both dstanced.
The time was appfoachng for the conven-
ton to meet, and consequently, for the conclu-
sion Of the treaty OF annexation, which was TO
be iouchstone in il, It was signed the isth
Of April, and was to have been sent TO the Son
ate Immediately but was delayed by circum-
stance which created alarm-=made 6alk-=snd
required new turn 10 be taken. Mr. Van Bu-
ren had not yet answered the inierrogaiories
put TO him through Mr. Hammett, or rsther his
answer had not yet been published. Uneasi-
ness began to be felt, lest, like SO many others,
he should fall into the current, and answer 10
way that would enable him TO swim with it.
To relieve this uncertainty Mr. Blair was aP-
piled to by Robert ]. Walker to write TO him
and get his answer. This was a very proper
channel 10 apply through. Mr. Blair, as the
fast friend Of Mr. Van Buren, had the privilege
to solicit him. Mr. Calhoun, as the puitica
adversary Of Mr. Van Buren, could not ask MI
Blair to do il, Mr. Walker stood in a relation
10 be ready for the work all round I; as a pro
, Tossing friend Of Mr. Van Buren, though co
operating with Mr. Calhoun and all the res
6 against him. he could speak with Mr. Blair OF
point which seemed tolbe for Mrysn Bureni
benehf As cooperating with Mr. Calhoun, b,
could help him against an adversary, though
intending to give him the 60 by in the end =
As being in all the Texas mysteries, he was
! natural person to ferret out information on eve
~ SIDE lie il was, then, 10 whose part il Eel
5 TO get the desired answer from Mr. Van Buren,
: and through the ins,rumentality Of Mr. Blair
: MIR Blair wrote as solicited, not seeing any traI
in il; but had received no answer up TO th
lime that the treaty was to 60 TO the Senate
, Ardent for Texas, and believing in danger o
"~'eyf he "t"tc anu puoitsucu ih Wc Ofo'r
, glowing article in favor of immediate annexa
: iion. That article was poser and a dumb
3 founder. II threw the treaty all aback. Con
sidering Mr. Blair's friendship for Mr. Van Blu
: ren and their confidential relations, il was con
9 cludee thu, this article could not have beel
2 published without his conseht-ihai II spok
his senlimeni-and was in fact his answer Il
4 the letter eiiich had been sent TO him. Her
e was an ugly balk. Ii seemed as il the long in
e ifigSs had 'E;sssrricd as II The rlc, was go
ing to work out the contrary way, and elevat
D the man il was intended 10 pot down. In thi
Q unexpected conjunc,ure new turn became in
Q dispensable=-and was promptly taken.
? Mention has been made in the forepart Of thi
r chapter of the necessity which was felt to oh
5 tain something from London, to bolster up tn
: accusation of that formidable abolition plo
e which Great Britain was Matching in Texas
, and on the alleged existence Of which the Who'll
: argument for imm sdiate annexation re ed. =
IT, Io...~I