On the 13;h September, 1843, he informed Mr. Thompson of the intention of the Government to remon- strate, in a formal manner, with Mexico, unless she shall make peace With Texas, or shall show a disposition and ability to prosecute the war with respectable forces.
This was only another device to provoke a quarrel. The idea of our being offiBnded with Mexico, because she was dilatory in kiUing our friends and brethren in Texas, was too ridiculous to be seriously pressed, even by Mr. Tyler's administration. A letter Avritten b)' Upshur, a few days before, to Murphy, our agent in Texas, reveals the true reason why the Cabinet had indulged the thought of bullying Mexico into a peace veith Texas. On the 8th September, he tells Murphy, there, is a rumor of a plan in England, to raise money for the Texan government, wherewith to abohsh slavery, by indemnifying the masters, and that the English capitalists were to take Texan land in payment. " Such an attempt," said the Secretary, ever anxious for the anticipated market for Virginia slaves, " upon any neighboring nation, would necessarily be viewed by this Government with very deep concern ; but when it is made upon a nation whose territory joins the slave-holding States of our Union, it awakens still more solemn interest. It cannot be permitted to succeed withous most strenuous efforts on our part to avert a calamity so serious to every part of our country. Few calamities could befal this country more to be deplored than the establishment of a predominant British influence, and the ABOLITION OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY IN TeXAS."* * Ex. Doc, 1st Sess., 28th Cong. No. 271 The correspondence between Upsliur and Murphy is one of the most humiUating to a true-minded American, of any that has ever disgraced the annals of his country.
" So far as this Government is concerned," writes Upshur, September 22d, 1843, " we have every desire to come to the aid of Texas in the most prompt and effectual man- ner. How far we shall be supported by the people, I reo-ret, is somewhat doubtful. There is no reason to fear there will be any difference of opinion among the people of the SLAVfj-HOLDiNG