The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-10-23
SELECT LITERATURE.
"REMINISCENCES OF WASHINGTON
The Tyler Administration from IS43 to
I845.

SNsA
Gus to the Wings, while the Democrats
despised it. Mr.. Tyler had succeeded in
having every vsstige of the Wing legisla
ton enacted at the extra session of 1871
swept from the statute-book. yet the
Democrats continued to stand aloof from
his administration, until, as a last resort
he advocated the admission of Texas as
a State He was urged to take this step
by Henry \. Wise, of Virginia, his favor
lite adviser, and by the numerous holders
of Texas bonds and war-scrip in Washing
ton.
Before the victims on the Princeton
were shrouded. Mr.. Wise called upon Mr..
Nc Duffie, then Il member of the Senate,
who represented Mr.. Calhouns interests
at Washington, and informed him that
the distinguished South Carolinian would
be appointed Secretary of State. He
urged him to write to Mr.. Calhoun at
once, begging him not to decline the posi-
ton should he be nominated and con-
tirmetl. Mr.. McDui1ie did not ask Mr.
Wise if he spoke by Mr.. Tyer's auther-
ty, but evidently believed that he was
authorized to make the request, and
promised to write to Mr.. Calhoun by that
afternoons mail.
Mr.. Wise then went to the Executive
Mansion. where he found Mr.. Tyler i'll
tie break fast room. much affected as he
read the account of the awful catastro-
phe of the day previous, which he had
found in that mornings National lntelli-
gencer. Mr.. Wise told him rather all
ruptly that it was no time for grief, as
there were vacancies IN the cabinet tn ht'
filed, that urgent matters then under
his control might be disposed of. What
is to be done?' asked President Tyler.
Mr.. Wise had an answer ready: Your
most important work is the annexation OF
| Texas. and the man for that work is John
C. Calhoun as Secretary OF State. Sene!
for him at once
NO SIR replied the President rather
coltlly. THE annexation of Texas is
important, but Mr. Calhoun is not the
man of my choice" The ladies Of the
family just then came in, and all sat
down to breakfast.
This was rather damper on the pro-
gramme of Mr.. Wise, as he feared that
| Mr.. McDutfie' letter would reach Mr..
Calhoun about the time some one else
was nominated as Secretary of State. He
sat through a long breakfast, patiently
listening to the Presidents prolix ac-
count of what had taken place on the
Princeton. and finally determined to
follow Hoyle's advice to whist-players
holding the third hand, and play high
When the party at last rose from the
table. and the ladies left the room, he
took his hat, and going where the Presi-
dent was standing said, in his most i'm
pressive manner. Sir! In saying good
morning to you now, may be taking a
lasting farewell. l have unseltishly tried
to be your friend for many years, and es-
pecially since you have been president.
Prompted by friendship for you, | have
to-day prevailed upon Mr.. McDutfie to
write to Mr., Calhoun, and ask him to ac-
cept the place of Secretary of State from
you. If you do not sanction this I'M
authorized act of mine for your own
sake-not mne.-you will place me
where you would be loath to place a foe
much less friend
The President looked surprised for a
moment. and then. liftin. both hands.
said, "Wisc you are the most extraor-
binary man | ever saw. the most willful
and Maynard. the most incorrisible, and
| see there is nothing for me to do but
yield. No other man would have done
what you have done. but you have done
it. and | now authorize you to take the
Office and tender it to Mr., Calhoun
But Mr. Wise did not wish to tender
it, as he feared that Mr.. Calhoun would
not accept it. So he insisted. and the
President finally consented, that the
nomination should be sent to the Senate
at once. 1t was accordingly sent, and
confirmed without opposition. MIR. Cal
houn came to Washington Immediately.
and was soon installed as Secretary of
State, with able associates in the Other
executive departments.
Mr.. Calhoun's course on the annexation
of Texas had not been consistent. III
1919, when a member of President Mon
roe's cabinet, he had concurred in vir-
lnaily giving Texas away, to conciliate
the antislayery sentiment Of New Eng
land, by preventing the increase OF slave
holding States at the Southwest. But
in 1886 he had advocated immediate an
nexation as calculated to injure the Pres
idential prospects of Mr.. Van Buren,, ant
he was prompt in completing the negoti
ations carried Oh by Mr.. Upshnr, his pre-
decessor in the department of state, will
Messrs. Van Zandt and Henderson, the
ENJOYS sent to place the ''lone star y il
the azure field of the ensign Of the re
public. 1t took Mr.. Calhoun only from
! February 2Sth to April 18th to conclude
the negotiations. The treaty of annexa
ton was signed and sent to the Senate
for ratification, but after a protractet
discussion it was rejected by a vote o
ssxteen yeas against thirty-tive nays.
General jackson had been enlisted il
the annexation of Texas, and as an ac
acknowledgement Of his services the friend
Of the measure in Congress- passed a Law
fesnnding fine of one thousand dollar
which, had been imposed on him by Judg
Hall. at New Orleens, twenty-five year
before. 1t was for contempt of court
TO- refusing to produce, in obedience to
writ Of ha6eas corpus, citizen arrested
by his orders under the martial law whicl
he had proclaimed.
Stephen A. Douglas, who had just en-
tefed Congress as one of the seven repre-
seutat;ves from Illinois, was prominen
in procuring the passage of the bill re
funding the fine, and when he afterwar
visited the Hermitage he received Gen
.Jackson's earnest thanks. Il felt Gel
tain in my own mind" said the general
THAT I was not guilty of violating tn
Constitution. But l could never max
out a legal justification of my course
nor has it ever been done. sir, until you
~, Che floor Of Congress, established
beyond the possibility of doubt. than