33 Those two gentlemen would have the resolution of annexation just as it is, and they voted for it just as it is, and their eyes were all open to its true character. The honorable member who addressed us the other day from South Carolina, was then Secretary of State. His correspondence with Mr. Murphy, the charge d’affaires of the United States in Texas, had been published. That correspondence was all before those gentlemen, and the Secretary had the boldness and candor to avow in that correspondence that the great object sought by the annexation of Texas was to strengthen the slave interest of the South. Why, sir, he said so, in so many words— Mr. Calhoun. Will the honorable Senator permit me to interrupt him for a moment? Mr. Webster. Certainly. Mr. Calhoun. I am very reluctant to interrupt the honorable gentleman; but, upon a point of so much importance, I deem it right to put myself rectus in curia. I did not put it upon the ground assumed by the Senator. I put it upon this ground: that Great Britain had announced to this country, in so many words, that her object was to abolish slavery in Texas, and through Texas to accomplish the abolishment of slavery in the United States and the world. The ground I put it on was, that it would make an exposed frontier, and, if Great Britain succeeded in her object, it would be impossible that that frontier could be secured against the aggressions of the abolitionists; and that this Government was bound, under the guaranties of the Constitution, to protect us against such a state of things. 3
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