"The Texas Farce," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, November 29, 1843

Summary: Reprinted an article from a New Orleans paper denouncing conspiracy theories involving British designs toward Texas. The article declared that no evidence existed that Great Britain was meddling in Texas affairs or with Texas slavery in any way and thus criticized John Tyler for exaggerating conspiracy reports in order to further annexation. Went into detail on all the supposed conspiracy theories and subsequently exposed them as either exaggerated or fabricated. Pleaded with Tyler to stop such nonsense.

From the N.O. Tropic.

THE TEXAS FARCE--TERRIBLE DISCLOSURES!

This subject has become rather a decided bore. For weeks the Tyler papers throughout the country have been industriously engaged spreading the belief that the fate of the United States hangs upon an attenuated thread, and that we are threatened with speedy and total annihilation: We are gravely told that Great Britain has matured such designs upon Texas involve not only the eternal destinies that country, but promise to give the death blow to the most important and sacred institutions of the Southern States. Strange figures of war and bloodshed have been conjured up, and pictures of civil commotion presented to the public gaze, which have well nigh frightened some shallow-pated people into a species of fits quite detrimental to peace and domestic happiness. Our own columns, on one occasion, through the agency of an esteemed though very good natured correspondent, aided somewhat in the manufacture of "public opinion," relative to the anticipated catastrophes of which we speak. Amid the excitement attempted to be created by these "fancy sketchers," we are consoled by the assurance of Tyler men and Tyler editors, that that wonderful depository of judgement, shrewdness and intellect, John Tyler, has "kept his eye skinned"--has keenly surveyed the awful movements of Great Britain concerning Texas--that his agents abroad, a thousand times more watchful than Argus, have, under his direction, made the most awful discoveries, soon to be converted into "awful disclosures," and finally that John Tyler, with that superhuman foresight and sagacity which form so prominent a trait in his character, has resolved upon a course of action which must inevitably prove to be the salvation of Texas, the salvation of the United States, and the exaltation of John Tyler to the highest pinnacle of fame, as the most powerful and brilliant Statesmen of the day and generation!

It is fortunate that the American people are not so vulnerable to humbug as they have been at former periods--they have been humbugged so often and so grievously by speculating and dishonest politicians, that they have naturally become wary and suspicious. They have moreover been so shamefully humbugged by John Tyler himself, that there is no probability they will ever be caught in his toils again. Hence, it is by no means a matter of surprise that the whole story relative to the interference of Britain with the Affairs of Texas, and the final addition of Texas, to the list of British provinces, is looked on as the "raw-head-and-bloody-bones" creation of a desperate and disappointed man. There exists no doubt, we presume, that Tyler's message to Congress at the approaching session, will be devoted, to a considerable extent, to the discussion of Texian affairs, and that that functionary will substantially recommenced the annexation of Texas to the Union, and, that, too, when Texas not only does not ask to be admitted, but when there is good cause to believe that the people of that country will not now consent, under any circumstances to the loss of their national sovereignty! The principal reasons given by Tyler for its reccomendation, will be the reported designs of Great Britain on Texas, and the necessity of counteracting, by decisive action, the machinations of the abolitionists.

We have made the most diligent enquiries within a a[sic] few days of intelligent men from Texas--of men moreover who are absolutely endeavoring to sustain the accusations preferred against Houston and the Texian Government--and all the information we can glean, from every variety of sources, forces us to the conclusion that the story in its most important particulars, deserves to be characterized as a gross and impudent fabrication. We believe it to be in all essential forms the most decided and unequivocal specimen of Tylerism to which the country has been treated for a twelvemonth. Take, by way of illustration, the assertion put forth with such an air of confidence, that the British agents are working with might and main to effect the abolition of slavery in Texas. Not long since it was reported that the British government had or its agents had positively offered a loan for the purpose of liberating all the slaves in the Republic! There is no evidence in existence that any agent of the British government has ever meddled with the matter; on the contrary it can be proved that they have carefully abstained from interference. The origin of the report as detailed to us shows what reliance is to be reposed in all tales of that nature. Some speculators in Texas, ever on the qui vive for some means of advancing their own interests, asked Capt. Elliott, the British Charge d'Affairs, what aid could be obtained from the British government in abolishing, by purchase, slavery in Texas. The reply, in substance, was that the British government would not consent to interfere in the affair, but that if it was the desire of the people of Texas to abolish slavery by the means proposed, it was possible that a loan from British capitalists might be secured. Upon the frail foundation of this unofficial and informal conversation is built the declaration that the agents of Great Britain are endeavoring by direct means to abolish slavery in Texas! Take another instance. It was recently published that the British government had claimed as the property of certain subjects, twenty or thirty millions of acres of land in Western Texas, accompanied, in case the claim was not acknowledged, "with a positive threat of coercion." This fiction had its origin in the following simple facts. Certain British speculators forwarded to a merchant in Galveston--whose name can be furnished, if required--some old Empresario claims with directions to ascertain their validity. This agent applied to Capt. Elliot, who took proper steps to ascertain from the Texian government whether the claims would be recognized. The reply was positively in the negative, and it can be established that the agent for the British claimants has since given it as his opinion, after considering all the circumstances of the case, that the claims were not worth a groat, and so the matter rests. Of a piece with these, we venture to affirm, are all the "cock and bull" stories with which the public mind has recently been edified.

We did intend to comment somewhat in detail upon the correspondence said to have been discovered by the American Charge d'Affaires, copies of which have been forwarded to Washington, developing the treasonable designs of the Texian Government. We have been informed, however, that Gen. Murphy urgently requested Tyler to publish that correspondence prior to the annual meeting of Congress, and at all events it will be laid before the American people within three or four weeks, when it will speak for itself. "Discovered by Gen. Murphy!" The docu[sic] between Oct., 1841, and June, 1842, $41,971 and forwarded my account for the disbursement of the same in Dec., 1842 showing a balance in my favoments[sic] which he has forwarded to Washington, and which, it is insinuated, are to astound half a dozen nations, were obtained by him with the consent and concurrence of the Texian Government; and is it to be supposed that papers thus obtained furnish proofs of treason on the part of the highest functionaries of Texas? Really, the tools of Tyler ought to imagine, once in a while, that there is some limit to human credulity. We know the nature of the documents, and are prepared to show, even now, that they are comfortably harmless, but prefer waiting until Tylerism fairly "shows its hand."

Looking at the affair in all its aspects, we are disposed to consider that it has already been treated in a manner to a grave and solemn. To make it the subject of a message from the President of the United States to the Congress of the United States is rather too much. We would respectfully recommend to Mr. John Tyler the propriety of committing the entire subject to his son Robert--familiarly, though disrespectfully, called Bob--let that original and extraordinary genius make it the subject of an epic poem, called "Texas, or Murphy's Dream," and submit it to the people of America in a manner most calculated to "enlist the fancy and enslave the heart." Such a poem, properly and efficiently managed, as the clever author of "Santa Fe Sketches" would say, will unquestionably "kick up a d--d fuss generally," and by means of such a poem alone can the matter be brought before an intelligent community in a way to elicit any other feeling than that of unadulterated contempt.

Source Copy Consulted: "The Texas Farce," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, November 29, 1843, p. 3