178
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
defeat my progress in pla.nting a new settlement in this wilderness, I find abundant cause of surprise that it should have advanced at all. I was of the opinion that perseverance and time would sur- mount them. The event proves that I was right--A few more years and the prosperity of Texas will astonish many. I am bold to say, that as a Country, taken in the general average, it is unequaled by a.ny portion of North America. You will recollect that I have had t5ome opportunity of forming an opinion on this matter, for I have seen this continent from Connecticut to the City of Mexico, and have generally been a close observer of localities, soil, climate, etc. Apart from the peculiar value of the Mississippi river and the harbors, I deem Texas to be of more intrinsic value as a country, than all the States of Louisiana Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia and the territories of Florida and Arkansas- Our Govt gets on very well, All things considered the federal system was an experiment and a very dangerous one for :Mexico because their former habits and ideas as to political subjects, had not prepaired the people for such a System, there must be some collisions for a while, but good will grow out of them; for they tend to elicit discussion and to diffuse lmowledge. I may perhaps at some leisure time write you a long and rather speculative letter on the formation, progress and probable future •advancement of this new born republic, and notice some variations from their :Model the U.S- • This day belongs, most emphatically, to the history of North America, I may indeed say to the history of the civilized world-the 4 of :March, the inauguration of the President of a republic whose comercial ramifications have penitrnted every inhabitable corner of the Globe, and whose moral influence has cheered every heart that loves freedom, and thrown a gloom around the thrones of despotism. Jackson goes into office with the advantage of an overwhelming majority, and should his cabinet possess talents and " 11/ anagement " to retain their popularity he cannot fail to get through hapily and prosperously- I am of opinion_that his administration will in the general be very popular, and very advantageous to the nation, for I think that the experiments which have been made of the Tariff Systim has clearly demonstrated the course that ought to be adopted, and I think it will be adopted-Popular opinion will give this admin- istration all tlie credit, altho they may be governed by lights elicited by others-I have taken no great interest in the-election, tho I have no objection to see Jackson President-Your Govt is founded on the popular will-and agreeably to the principles on which it is based, whatever the people will, is right- •
Powered by FlippingBook