Memucan Hunt to J. Pinckney Henderson, April 15, 1837
Summary: Hunt urged Henderson to send an agent to Britain asking for recognition of Texas independence. He believed that such a move would force the United States to move forward with annexation. He also claimed that the North would eventually acquiesce because continued opposition would result in a breakup of the Union and the annexation of Texas by a southern confederacy.
No. 1 U.S.
VICKSBURG MISSI, April 15, 1837
DEAR SIR
I have been ill at this place more than two weeks, but am now restored. I wrote to you when I was on the eve of leaving Washington. I now seize an opportunity to do so again. I repeat the propriety of sending a secret agent to Great Britain to ask the recognition of our Independence. That Government will naturally ask wherefore, as it is the expressed wish of the Texian nation to become annexed to the United States by an almost unanimous vote that to make a treaty with Texas to be annulled at her pleasure could not be listened to for a moment, and that unless higher and more advantageous terms could be offered to Great Britain, she would not enter into diplomatic relations with Texas; and it will in my opinion be the policy of our government to promise to G. Britain (in event of our sending an agent there, and failing to become annexed to these States, after all our efforts have failed) to give to her by treaty such commercial advantages as it will be our interest to do, in which event she will be induced to recognize us; the success in attaining which, will I believe guarantee our annexation to this country, for so ardent are the Southern States to procure the annexation of Texas to the Union that I believe the consequence of a failure to accomplish it, will produce a dissolution of the Union That an exercise of such determination will be withheld however, as a dernier resort I likewise believe, and for us to be recognized as Independent by Great Britain with the expectation and belief on the part of these States that such relations would be entered into as to prevent forever our annexation to the latter would at once make up the issue and our success or failure in accomplishing the desirable end of annexation be determined upon by this Government, and even the Northern politicians sooner than see the consequences, to which I have adverted, would perhaps advocate our connexion[sic]. The North cannot prosper without the existance of a confederacy of the South, on the other hand, the South cannot only exist without the north but prosper to a much higher degree seperated and with Texas annexed and the power to overrun all Mexico and make such a disposition of that country as it may be her interest to do until it could be peopled throughout with Anglo Americans would make a Southern confederacy with such consequences, decidedly in time to come, as to make it the greatest nation upon earth. The calculating northern politician foreseeing these results should not hesitate to accede to the annexation of Texas. The South would be less excited upon this subject but for the action of the late congress upon a resolution relating to a proposition of J Q Adams asking the Speaker of the House of Representatives whether it would be in order to present a petition from slaves, the action upon which you have seen, doubtless in the public journals. I know of no circumstance which has so much increased the zeal of Southern politicians for us as this, and we may justly set down an act of one of our worst enemies as being more advantageous to us than the most studied movements of our best friends. If we send a minister to England publickly[sic] it would set all the abolition papers in that country instantly upon us and such an effect might be produced as to present a result contrary to that which would otherwise accrue. The same consequences might exist here too, for so soon as it is known that we have opened diplomatic relations with G Britain, and it is probable that this result will be such as to prevent annexation, a paper issue with the abolitionists and the friends of annexation will be the consequence and Mr Webster himself has been heard to say that no politician in New England can maintain himself who opposes the abolition of slavery, he is an honest man and I have no doubt spoke advisedly and truly. The conviction induces me to think it best for our success that such action should occur on our part as to produce as little excitement in the north as practicable until we succeed or fail in the attainment of the end we desire, for fanaticism, at least for a time, will overrule the wisest and most salutory disposition of the most learned and influential politicians. On the other hand if we can be recognized as Independent by G. Britain and bring the question of annexation suddenly upon this government, whilst Congress is in session, our difficulties will be contended for with uninstructed legislators which will not be the case should the north become excited upon the subject. The Northerners are a law abiding people and if we could once get a treaty of annexation through, I believe all difficulties would be over. One of the greatest difficulties which seems to influence a hesitation on the part of the politicians who are favourable to annexation, residing in non-slave holding states, is that it would be a premature act without the consent of Mexico, or a cessation on her part of all hostilities against Texas. Unless Santa Anna succeeds as I wrote you in my last, we cannot expect this without conquering Mexico, and I know of nothing else which would be a remedy, save the recognition of our Independence by G. Britain for I believe that no scruples would exist on the part of the U States[sic] in making a treaty of annexation with Texas provided a power so respectable as G. Britain were to recognize our Independence. But unless Mexico relinquishes all claim to Texas or some respectable nation recognizes us, we may not anticipate even an action upon the subject by the U States[sic]. I received, from Mr Catlett, secretary of legation, since my arrival here a letter mentioning that he had received a communication from the Secretary of State of the United States saying that such a disposition of the U States[sic] troops should be made near the borders of Texas as to prevent (if practicable[)] the recurrence of Indian hostilities, by any tribes belonging to the Jurisdiction of this government. The communication has reached you, doubtless, as Mr C. informed me that he had forwarded a copy of it to you. I shall visit the seat of government of this state when I shall find the Legislature convened on the 17th inst. I shall endeavour to produce as much feeling in favour of annexation as I can. There is nothing now so near my heart as the wish for the accomplishment of that end, and rest assured Sir of my full and uncompromising convictions that our interests and happiness could in no way be so much benefited as by its accomplishment, unless it be the annexation of the slave holding states in event of a dissolution of the Union, which we should receive incalculable benefits from. Should a commission not have been forwarded to me, directed to the President of the U States[sic] in place of the informal one directed to the Secretary of State, please attend to it without delay; and it had best be worded in such a manner as to authorize me to act with full power in the absence of Col Wharton, for should there be a specification as existed in my other commission, that I am to act in concert, I should be unable to do any thing officially in his absence. Every thing of importance having been accomplished, contained in the instructions of his Excellency the President, with the exception of annexation, and there being no prospect of any action on this important subject by the Executive of the U. States at the present, I have thought it most judicious in me to give my time and presence such direction as may be best calculated in my judgment to accomplish the very desirable object, and among other movements I have concluded to visit the Hon. Thos. H. Benton, at St Louis, on my return to Washington, who is already friendly to the accomplishment of annexation, and can do us more essential service in that respect perhaps, than any one in the U States[sic]. I will continue to keep you advised of my movements and actions and should they not entirely accord with the wishes of his Excellency the President, a cheerful acquiescence on my part will be the result of any instructions which it may be his pleasure to suggest, of a different character.
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant
MEMUCAN HUNT
To,
Hon: J.P. Henderson
Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas
Source Copy Consulted: Memucan Hunt to J. Pinckney Henderson, April 15, 1837, in George Garrison, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1908, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1911), 3 vols., 2:208-211