Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed Page: 53 of 119
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53
[ 341 ]
-tion of the African race throughout all the States, where the ancient relation
-between the two has been retained, enjoys a degree of health and comfort
which may well compare with that of the laboring population of any
country in Christendom; and it may be added, that in no other condition,
,or in any other age or country, has the negro race ever attained so high an
elevation in morals, intelligence, or civilization.
If such be the wretched condition of the race in their changed relation,
where their number is comparatively few, and where so much interest is
manifested for their improvement, what would it be in those States where
the two races are nearly equal in numbers, and where, in consequence,
would necessarily spring up mutual fear, jealousy, and hatred, between.
them? It may, in truth, be assumed as a maxim, that two races differig
so greatly, and in so many respects, cannot possibly exist together in the
same country, where their numbers are nearly equal, without the one being
subjected to the other. Experience has proved that the existing relatisn,
in which the one is subjected to the other, in the slaveholding States,is
consistent with the peace and safety of both, with great improvement to.
the inferior; while the same experience proves that the relation which it
is the desire and object of Great Britain to substitute in its stead, in this
and all other countries, under the plausible name of the abolition of slavery,
would (if it did not destey the inferior by conflicts, to which it would
lead) reduce it to the extremes of vice and wretchedness. In this view
of the subject, it may be asserted, that what is called slavery is in reality
a political institution, essential to the peace, safety, and prosperity of those
States of the Union in which it exists. Without, then, controverting the
-wisdom and humanity of the policy of Great Britain, so far as her own
possessions are concerned, it may be safely affirmed, without reference to
the means by which it would be effected, that, could she succeed in accomplishing,
in the United States, what she avows to be her desire and the
object of her constant exertions to effect throughout the world, so far from
,being wise or humane, she would involve in the greatest calamity the
whole country, and especially the race which it is the avowed object of
"her exertions to benefit.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to the right
honorable Mr. Pakenham the assurance of his distinguished consideration.
J. C. CALHOUN.
Right Hon. RICHARD PAKENHAM, 4'C.
Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Green.
No. 1.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, .ipril 19, 1844.
SIR: A treaty for the annexation of Texas to the United States has been
signed by the plenipotentiaries of the two Governments, and- will be sent
by the President to the Senate, without-delay, for its approval.
In making the fact known to the Mexican Government, the President
entjoins it on you to give it, in the first place, the strongest assurance that,
in adopting this measure, our Government is actuated by no feelings of
disrespect or indifference to the honor or dignity of Mexico, and that it
would be a subject of great regret if it should be otherwise regarded by its
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United States. Congress. Senate. Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed, book, 1844; [Washington]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2363/m1/53/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .