"Untitled," Telegraph and Texas Register, March 10, 1838

Summary: An anonymous author provided his take on the progress of the annexation issue in Congress. He admitted that abolitionists were gaining influence but at the same time their efforts were making more friends of annexation in the South. He predicted that if nothing else, the South would annex Texas if the Union dissolved. Summarized quotes from John Calhoun that basically stated the annexation of Texas was a right due to the slaveholding states. Finally, he noted that the representatives from Texas were well received in Congress.

For the Telegraph.

WASHINGTON CITY, Jan. 27, 1838.

The relations between this country and the Republic of Texas are about to form a subject of serious deliberation in Congress, though, as you have seen, the President avoided any notice of them in his annual Message. It is not to be inferred from the President's silence on the subject, that either he or his administration, or the people at large are indifferent to it. On the contrary, no one of the many questions which now agitate us occupies a larger share of public attention and interest, than the annexation of Texas to the Union. The President, doubtless, considered that public sentiment should precede executive recommendation on a question of so much importance and delicacy.

There are, besides the question of immediate annexation, many other points of view in which our relations with Texas interest us. Connected as Texas is, and always must be in the southern and western section of the Union by ties of blood, of common interest, habits and employments, and common language, and similar, social and political institutions, there must even be a close intimacy and sympathy between them. The northern manufacturing and navigating states are also deeply interested, in effecting a favorable commercial connection with the rich cotton growing regions, the resources of which are soon to be developed, by the wise and liberal institutions of Texas. Even, therefore, if the question of annexation be put out of view, ther eare[sic] many other considerations, in reference to the mutual interests of the two countries, which awaken here the deepest feeling. All these subjects are speedily to come before Congress, for full and free discussion. There you stand, on our southern confines, commanding the richest region on the Globe, and our politicians agree that your influence on our prosperity is to be vast and perpetual, whether for good or for evil.

The abolition phrenzy[sic] which, springing up in England, has swept over the eastern and northern States, and agitates, districts, and threatens to divide the Union, has a striking effect upon all our relations with Texas, and particularly upon the question of annexation. In a year past, the abolitionists have sought to strengthen themselves by raising an excitement against the annexation of Texas, and the consequent extension of the slave-holding influence. Before Congress at the present session, they will as they may, lay a million of names remonstrating against the annexation of Texas or of any new slave-holding state to the confederacy. They have for the present at worst, effectually prevailed over the smaller influence which the northern merchants and navigators were able to exert in favor of the annexation. Every thing goes by numbers here, suffrage being universal; and the show of numbors[sic] which the abolitionists have made, have silenced those northern and eastern members, who following their unbiassed[sic] judgment would go for the closest connexion[sic] that would be made with a country, from where-carrying trade and consumption of their manufactures, they promise so much advantage to their portion of the Unnion[sic]. But the influence of abolitionism works two ways. To a greater extent than it alienates from you the north, it unites to you, by feeling and interest the whole south and south-west. Every abolition and anti-Texian petition makes for you more friends than there are signers to the petition. They have created a feeling in Congress and in the slave-holding States which may lead to a Southern Convention, as has recently been proposed by Mr. Calhoun, and the recommendation from the south of a speedy and close alliance with Texas,--with the Union or without it, as the southern States may please. The decline of the value of the principal staples of the great slave States of Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky is of itself a strong inducement for them to seek the annexation of Texas. If their people must emigrate to a new region, they will prefer the rich soil and fine climate of Texas, where with their domestic slaves, they can find an easy and independent subsistence. But wishing to carry all their institutions with them, and to maintain a close connexion[sic] with their father-land, they are anxious for an annexation of Texas to the Southern Union, if, indeed, the Union must be, in time, devided[sic] by "Mason and Dixon's line." The hostilities of the abolitionists are bringing about the crisis. Mr. Adams has more than once announced that the annexation question is a question of union or disunion, and the South are prepared for that issue. The institution of slavery in the South and West involves not less than nine hundred millions of property, besides the political independence of those States, and for the security both of their property and their liberty, an alliance with Texas is now looked upon as very desirable, if not absolutely essential.

Mr. Calhoun brought the subject before the Senate, on the 27th ult., in a series of Resolutions, asserting the constitutional rights of the South, in reference to slavery; and the sixth resolution contained a declaration that, "to refuse to extend to the southern and western States any advantage which would tend to strengthen or render them more secure, or increase their limits and population by the annexation of new territory or states, would be contrary to that equality o frightsand[sic] advantages which the constitution was intended to secure alike to all the members of the Union." But this last resolution, after the adoption of the others, was laid on the table, at the suggestion of Mr. Preston of South Carolina, the great and eloquent champion of Texas, who wished to make the subject one of distinct consideration before the Senate.

On the 5th February, of Mr. Preston's Resolutions will come up for discussion. These resolutions distinctly assert the expediency of the re-annextion[sic] of Texas to the United States, with the consent of the new state previously had, and whenever it can be effected consistently with the faith and treaty stipulations of the United States. The debate will bring out the views of every section of the Union, and every class of politicians on the subject. I shall listen to it with much interest, and advise you of its progress, character and results.

I notice, among the most frequent visitors of the Senate chamber, Gen. Hunt, minister of Texas. He is much esteemed here by all parties, as a courteous and enlightened gentleman, and an able diplomatist. It is the general impression here that he has discharged his important and delicate trust with fidelity, zeal and diplomatic ability.

Your friend and obedient servant.

N.

Source Copy Consulted: "Untitled," Telegraph and Texas Register, March 10, 1838, p. 2