The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 20, July 1916 - April, 1917 Page: 51
426 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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British Correspondence Concerning Texas
vote, and thereby force the Executive Government, and perhaps
not altogether against their will, into a course of action from
which the National Pride, if once engaged in it, would not easily
allow of a retreat.
The external relations too of the Country, is illustrated by the
Papers lately laid before Congress, and so far as they bear upon
the question of Annexation, are not without danger.
The Correspondence which has passed between Mr Calhoun
and the American Envoy at Paris3 sufficiently shows the jealousy
with which the partizans of Annexation are ready to take up any
sign of interference, or even of interest expressed by a Foreign
State against the cause in which they are engaged; and, should
any incident appear to confirm that jealousy, there can be no
doubt of the use which would be made to precipitate active
measures in the United States whilst the abrupt termination of
friendly relations between the American Representative and the
Government of Mexico, stopping as it did little short of an open
rupture, might but too easily lead to hostilities of which Texas
would not be suffered to remain a neutral Spectator; and from
which, whatever might be the result to the principal parties con-
cerned, She could not hope to escape with her Independence.
This is a state of things, which to those who feel an interest
in that Independence cannot be otherwise than alarming, and
which calls upon them to furnish every aid they can honourably
and safely offer for its support.
The Government of Texas are already aware of the light in
which Great Britain views the question of Annexation as it
affects the interest of Texas. Her Majesty's Government are
firmly convinced that the dignity and prosperity of that Country
are more secure in its own keeping than under the institutions
of any other Government, however powerful, and it would not be
difficult to show that, under a Government composed as that of
the United States, and having so many and such opposite inter-
ests to serve, it must be long before a newly settled and com-
paratively thinly peopled Country would command the attention
and the weight which would make up for an abandonment of the
privilege of self-government,-if indeed such a result should ever
'Calhoun's despatch to King, August 14, 1844. (In UT. S. Does., Ser.
No. 499, Doe. I, pp. 39-47.)
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 20, July 1916 - April, 1917, periodical, 1917; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101070/m1/57/?rotate=90: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.