seen in the following
chapter,) to maintain the separate independence of
Texas:--"We have not limited ourselves"--exclaimed he--"to a
wish and a counsel that Texas should retain her freedom, but
we have been led to take a part in that which I regret I am
compelled to regard as nothing else than an _intrigue_,
which, unfortunately for our national dignity has borne all
the marks of an _intrigue_, and has met, at last, its
humiliation."--Niles' Register, vol. 70, pp. 25, 26, 27, 28,
and vol. 68, p. 290.

FOOTNOTES:

[39] See Mr. Clay's letter on the Texas question, Raleigh, N. C., April,
1844. I shall discuss the boundary elsewhere in this volume. When Texas
offered herself in 1837 to the United States it was only two years after
Mexico had overthrown the federal constitution, and not even one after
the battle of San Jacinto. A great change however took place in the
general aspect of affairs between that period and the final annexation.

[40] Executive document, No. 42, H. of R., 25th congress, 1st session,
contains the letters referred to.

[41] Mr. Clay's letter on annexation, _ut antea_.

[42] Recollections of Mexico, p. 238.

[43] It was evidently the intention of Mr. Webster, whilst secretary of
state, to adopt some prudent scheme for the settlement of the war
between Texas and Mexico. In January, 1843, he addressed a despatch to
Mr. Thompson, who was then our envoy in Mexico, in which he directs him
to use his good offices with the Mexican secretary to mitigate the
animosity of the government. "Mexico," says he, "has an undoubted right
to resubjugate Texas, if she can, so far as other states are concerned,
by the common and lawful means of war. _But other States are
interested,--especially the United States, a near neighbor of both
parties, are interested,--not only in the restoration of peace between
them, but also in the manner in which the war shall be conducted if it
shall continue._ These suggestions may suffice for what you are
requested to say amicably and kindly to the Mexican secretary, _at
present; but I may add, for your information, that it is in the
contemplation of this government to remonstrate, in a more formal
manner, with Mexico, at a period not far distant, unless she shall
consent to make peace with Texas, or shall show the disposition and
ability to prosecute the war with respectable forces_. Executive
document, No. 271, H. of R., 28t