The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-08-26

Tyler stating that, owing to Mr.. McDuffie's
extreme delicate health lie would not 90
on 10 Nashville, as was intended, and
urging, in the most decided manner, to 90
on in his place. I was then n member of
our State Senate, and had withdrawn from
Federal politics and most respectfully
declinned but Mr.. Calhoun Immediately
wrote again, sill urging ne to go. A few
days after, met Col. EImore at Dcmoo-
ratio meeting, in Augusta-I think 4th Of
August-who told mo lie had received
letters from Mr.. Calhoun to the same effect
of mine, an6 after conversiug fully with
him, agreed to 60 to Nashville, but very
reluctantly, and npon the condition that he
would have the fact announced in the Mer-
curry, that they were glad to know that !
had consented tostgo to Nashville in the
place of Mr.. McDufie. think some such
announcement will he found in the Mer-
cury's editorial. between tire 4th and 18th
of August, 1914. Those acquainted with
the local politics Of South Carolina, at that
particular period, will at once perceive my
object in having this inserted in that paper,
and by Col. Elmore.
1t will be recollected that Mr.. Polk had
written his celebrated "Kane Letter" to
Pennsylvania, which looked like adhering
to tariff for protection per Sc, unless con-
strued strictly by his former votes and
speeches in Congress, This letter had
created great uneasiness in the public mind
throughout the South. My object in hav-
ing an interview with Mr.. Polk, before [
spoke at any convention, was to have a
thorough understanding as to the true mean
ing Of that letter, and to know, in detail,
what would be the policy of his administra-
ton as to tariff and the. repeal of the
odious and unjust tariff of 1912.
With this view, we went over the tariff
of 1888 and 1912, and compared them
together, provision by provision, and if his
library be preserved, pencil marks, in my
handwriting, will found in the margin of
both these tariffs, and tho alterations and
changes agreed upon in consultation. Suf-
fice it TO say, that specifics and minimums,
the bases Of all protection, per Sc. were to be
abolished, and the at valorems principle in
troduced in any measure to be adopted.
l remained at Mr.. PoIk's house two
nights and day, and was thoroughly salts.
fed that he was with US entirely on the
great principles of a free trade tariff in all
its leading features. This WAS one Of the
principal objects Of that visit. But the
first great object was in reference to the
annexation of Texas. 1t was considered
principally in relation to what part Great
Britain might take as to annexation. She
had attempted to open negotiations with
Gen. Houston, then President Of Texas, to
prevent annexation with US. trust the
public will~bear with ME, while dwell
somewhat in detail upon this great question,
for the young men Of the day seem 10 have
forgottsp the points. Mr.. Benton's book
has suppressed IT, 1tirely, as he was op-
posed to annexation, and went off with Mr..
Van Buren. I had had a full interview
With Gen Jackson, and he had told me that
Gen. Houston had no idea of listening to
the proposals of Great Britain, but only in
tended to use the offers she had made with
a view of exciting the public mind in the
United States to the absolute necessity Of
annexation. The application Of Texas for
annexation had previously, under the ad-
ministration Of Mr.. Van Burep, while Mr..
Forsyth was Secretary Of State, been tiect-
ed, OF at least received with entire ipdiffer.
ence. We had serious difficulties srisings
between us and Great Britain in relation
to the Oregon question. Under the ':joint I
occupancy" treaty, her citizens, with thes
privileges of the Hudson Bay Company,
bad all the advantage they wanted, in trap.
ping over the whole region, there being no
definite boundary axed: We had n ehter,
prisiog population seeking a hom8 fp that
tregiou, and from the uncertainty as to the
boundary, they were constantly brought
into collision with the Hudson Bay Com
pauy and British subjects, and we were in
imminent danger of being dragged into.a
premature war bya wronged and excited
frontier population. It became eminen,ly
polite, t6erefore,as apeace measure, that
notice to Terminate this joint occupancy
treaty sbasld be given, and thus take the
question of peace or war. ou. Of the hands
Of an excited and interested frontier people.
and hold it under the control Of govern
ment ITSELF These questions being kept
open might give Great Britain preiext TO
instigate Mexico q a war With US ip refer
euce to Texas annexation. if it !slaah be
effected, and the difficulties that might
arise were considered, atFtbat Time, more