277
.PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
----Pray keep this in view-I deem it of the utmost importance for the success of your foreign negociations national and financial- That your application for annexation to the U S. should be for- mally withdrawn. ----This however should be done with the utmost dignity and with the best temper and in the best tone of feeling towards the peo- ple of the U. S.- It should be done on the ground that your own in- terests are to be promoted by your own separate integrity- On such an annunciation on the part of your Minister Mr Van Buren will I am sure send a high[l] y complimentary Message to your Re- public to our Congress in which all parties will unite in public mani- festations of anticipations for your future growth & power & respect for the independent stand which your Republic has taken which will greatly benefit your foreign relations with the European Powers & lead at once to recognition.- ----Indeed what have you to expect or hope for from us by Union but a marriage to the Fanaticism of abolition and the huge monopoly of an oppressive tariff strangling your infant industry in the Cradle?-Where as if you-stand by yourselves, with duties of 15 pr. Cent ad valorern you will supply the best part of the valley of the Mississippi with goods & will soon be the most prosperous Country on this Contine [n] t. -Instead of weakening yourselves & the Southern States by agitating the slave question which our ad- versaries will involve in the discussion of the question of annexation,- you will be silently building up a rock of salvation & a pillar of strength for the South in which we may we may [sic] stand & take refuge when driven to separation by the abolition of the North.- An event which seems to be inevitable.-! throw these views out to you with great deference, and let me repeat that in reference tfl early & advantageous treaties with the European Powers, you cannot assume a tone too moderate & pacific in your inaugural Message which is looked to with great interest on both sides of the Water.-You want now nothing but the successful negociation of a Loan (which with proper -means & exertions may be effected in 6 months) to enabl11 you to equip an army & navy & survey your pu.blic Lands to enable you to coerce l\Iexico into your own terms and take your station with respectability & strength in the great family of nations- ----! have seen a great deal of Mr. Burnley your Commissioner, and I do not think Presdt Houston could have well made a better appointment. He is very much of a man of business, and unites to much tact and a knowledge of the \Vorld great zeal & perseverance.- ----! do not desire to be considered as disparaging l\Ir \Villiams in the slightest degree in these remarks, as my intercourse has been with l\Ir. Burnley exclusively in relation to your Loan,- as l\Ir \Vil- liams has been occupied on the conc1,rns of his naval agency.- Since I wrote you by judge W.-I have had two interviews with Mr. Biddle which induced me very strongly to believe, that he intends in the spring to take the Loan as provided for in your Loan act of the 16 l\Iay 1838, as it now stands, therefore I think it had better not be disturbed, in the smallest particular,-as to the rate of interest &c.- as the Commissioners have a sufficient discretion dlready on this point-As great importance is attached to a seal on the other r,ide
Powered by FlippingBook