Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-15

mIuistration in his abilities, and the difficult
ties which were understood to attend this
mission, it is only necessary TO refer to the
following passage of the letter of Mr.. Cal
houn, then Secretary of State, which in
closed his commission:
"The state of things in Texas, is such
as to require that the place (Charge des
Affaires should be filed without delay, and
to select him, who under all circumstances,
may be thought best calculated to bring to
a successful decision the great question of
annexation pending before the two coun-
tries. After full deliberation, you have
! been selected as that individual, and do
trust my dear sir, that you will not de-
cline the appointment, however great may
be the personal sacrifice of accepting.
That great question must be decided in
the next three or four months, and whether
it shall be favorable or not, will depend on
him who shall fill the mission now rendered
you need not tell you how much de-
ponds on its decision for veal or woe to
our country, and perhaps the whole CONT
nent. 1t is sufficient to say, that viewed
in all its consequences, it is one of the first
magnitude, aud that it gives an Importance
to the mission at this time, that raises it
to the level with the highest in the gift of
the Government"
When the bearer of this dispatch reach
ed Tennessee, Mr.. Donelson was absent on
private business in Mississippi, and knew
nothing of his appointment till his return
home in Oct. 1914. Gen. Jackson knew
that Mr. Donelson would have peculiar in
huence with the President of the young
Republic of Texas. and detained the COM
mission, assuring the President, that it
should be accepted. He at once assumed
the duty, and conducted the negotiation
with signal ability. In its discharge, he
was brought in contact with the ministers
of the British and French governments,
whose influence he was compelled to en-
counter and oppose. His conduct in this
matter was the subject of the highest COM
mendation from his own government at
the time. The following extract from a
letter of the acting Secretary of State may
be given as an evidence Of this feeling:
WASHINGTON, Aug. I, lS45.
My DEAR SIR: The President has receiv-
ed information on which he relies, which
has induced him to direct me to send the
accompanying dispatch to yOu. A copy is
sent to Gen. Taylor and Col Z. A. Rhodes,
the Vice Consul of Galveston, with direc-
tions, if you have left the country on your
return home, to regard the dispatch as di-
rected to him, and TO proceed without de-
lay to execute its Instructions.
If this shall find you in New Orleans,
the President wishes you to exercise your
own discretion, in pursuing your journey
home, or in returning to Texas. Your
health ought to exercise controlling in
huence in forming your conclusion. The
services which you have rendered your
country in the delicate negotiations en-
trusted to you, are justly appreciated. Your
prudence, discretion and ability have in
spred the President with confidence
which would make him feel much more at
case if that delicate task could be in your
hands. But your sacrifices and risks have
been already so great that he leaves your
decision entirely in your hands, and you
need apprehend no disapprobation on his
part if you determine not to return.
1t gives me great pleasure to assure you
that there can be no doubt, that the publ
cation of your official correspondence will
give you a most enviable reputation for the
highest qualities of a statesman and di-
plomatiSt.
The President unites in the highest re-
CARDS with your friend,
J. Y. MASON.
Maj. A. j. DoNELsoN.
Suffice it to say that the country is
largely indebted TO the services of Mr.
Donelson for the acquisition Of that large
and fertile territory now embraced within
the State of Texas. A short time before
his return to Tennessee, he received the
following letter from Gen. jackson, evinc-
ing at once q tender personal attachment,
and an acknowledgement of his services
and abilities as a diplomatist:
HERMITAGE, May "a, l845.
Nh Dear Andrelo-I received last night
your affectiOnate letter of the 18th inst,
with the enclosed for your dear Elizabeth,
which ! sent forthwith, and your kind let
ter of the 18th this morning. Your fami-
ly were here yesterday. All well. but
looking out for you hourly, assured Elz-
abeth that you cOuldnot leave your mission
before the Texan Congress acted upon the
subject with which you were charged. |
shall admonsh her to be patient and await
your return, which will be the moment your
honor and duty will permit.
x Be assured
that Gen. Houston and his family will be
received as he ought by the good citizens of
Tennessee.
rejoice that you will nobly execute
your mission, and bring the Lone Star into
our glorious Union.
l have just received from Col. Polk
letter of the 18th inst, handed to me by
Mr.. LaBranch, which enclose you. Mr..
LaBranch goes directly On to Texas and
will hand you this letter; and | beg leave
to introduce him to you as worthy of your
confidence and attention | need say no
more | know to secure to Mr.. LaBranch
your kind attentions.
Ny dear Andrew-What may be my
fate God only knows. L am greatly af-
flicted-suffer much, and it will be almost
miracle if l shall survive my present at
tack, | am swollen from the toes to the
crown of the head, and in bandages to my
hips.
How far my God may think proper to
bear me up under my weight Of Affections,