SfATEs." Murphy, in his reply, September 24th, 1843, takes the liberty of giving the Secretary of State some shrewd advice,—" Say nothing about abolition ;" and again, in another letter, *' Do not offend our fanatical brethren of the north. Talk about civil and political and religious liberty. This will be found the safest issue to go before the world with." In other words, go before the world v/ith a lie in your mouth about the rights and libei-ty of Texas, which is" already as free as we are, and conceal from the people of the north, that our only object is to extend and perpetuate negro slavery. The advice was partially followed, and the cry of " extend the area of freedom " was raised by the slave- holders and their northern allies. But " out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh," and before long, all disguise was set aside, and the true object boldly and unblushingly avowed " before the world,'' both by the Government and by southern legislatures and popular meetings. The story of the contemplated pecuniary con- tribution in England to advance the cause of human liberty in Texas, was unfortunately without foundation like a multitude of similar falsehoods in relation to the anti-slavery interference of England, it was intended to facilitate annexation. On the I7th October, Upshur pro- posed to the Texan agent a treaty of annexation. The Mexican Minister at Washington, aware of the intrigues of the Cabinet, gave notice, that if Texas were received into the Union, he must ask for his passports. Mr. Upshur replied in an insulting tone, declining all explanation, and treating With scorn the intimation of Mexican hostility.
In the mean time, the Texans havinjr shown less eajrerness to enter into the proposed treaty than Upshur had anticipated, he became alarmed, and thought proper to menace even the free and independent Republic of Texas. He wrote to Murphy (January IGth, 1844,) of course for the information of the Texan leaders, that in case annexation should be declined by the latter, " Instead of being, as we ought to be, the closest friends, it is inevitable we shall become the bitterest foes ;" and he warns them, that without annexation, Texas " cannot maintain that institu-