of the people of the Eastern and Middle States, and that we are openly and shamefully abused by the press and the party of Mr. Webster. I accordingly repeat that a well paid, efficient, and if you please, secret agent, acting under my directions and having influence with the members of the non slave holding States, would be a most important enablement unto the success of our cause.

I beg leave, likewise, most respectfully to suggest, that as the party, known in this country as the Northern fanatics, are open and constant in their violent denunciation of Texas, it is not only impracticable, but absolutely inexpedient to attempt any thing like conciliation. We may endanger, by any such course, that firm, devoted and enthusiastic unanimity of the South, which is, indeed, our main support. I, of course, have no reference, in these remarks, to the well timed message of His Excellency Genl. Houston, upon the subject of the slave trade from other places than the United States, which, I am happy to say, meets my most cordial approbation.

I shall not fail to avail myself of every circumstance, calculated to aid the cause of our annexation, and I assure you, I shall exert myself, both officially and privately, to produce the most favorable impressions respecting us, not only with the people and Government of this country, but the Diplomatic Representatives of Foreign powers near this Government. In conclusion, I have the honor to state officially, that Mr. La Branche will be despatched as Chargé d'Affaires from this Govt. to Texas as soon as Mr. Forsyth shall have returned.

With every sentiment of regard and consideration. I have the honor to be

I have the honor hereby to acknowledge the receipt of a communication, dated Washington, 17th. June, ultimo, (being dispatch No 19)

60265-VOL 2-09-16

from Fairfax Catlett, Esqr. Secretary of legation, with a copy of a letter from Mr. Forsyth, Secretary of State of the U States, addressed to said legation, on the subject of the land District on Red River, recently established by an Act of the Congress of this Republic, in the Territory under the jurisdiction of the State of Arkansas. It is true that the citizens of Miller County of that State have elected and sent members to the Congress of this Republic, who have been permitted to participate in the legislation thereof; and a land District [has been] established by said act for the purpose of extending to them titles by this Government to lands of that County. In regard to this subject I have to inform you that the President is still absent at Nacogdoches, and I do not feel authorized to give any positive instructions thereon; but will submit the same promptly to his consideration when he shall return. It is certainly a matter of much importance to both governments; and this despatch is the first official information that has been received of the appointment of a commissioner on the part of the U. States to run the boundary line. The President has not made the appointments necessary to carry said land law into operation; and since this remonstrance is made by the U. States I am confident he will not make them, so far as said district is concerned, until the question of boundary shall be definitively settled. I would, moreover, remark that this Government has no disposition to adopt any measures calculated to disturb the friendly relations that now exist between the two countries, nor persevere in a course tending in the remotest degree to lay the foundation for such a result; which assurances you will respectfully make to that Government. If they claim as citizens the inhabitants occupying that territory, and deem it improper for them to legislate in this Republic they certainly have it in their power to restrain them, until it shall be determined whether they owe allegiance to the U. States or to Texas. The constitution of this Republic, which is the paramount law where its provisions are specific, guarantees to the people of Miller, or Red River County, where said land district is situated, the right of representation in the Congress thereof; of which privilege they cannot be deprived unless by an order of that Government. Despatch No. 18 has not been received.

I have the honor to be,

Sir, Your Obt. Servant

R. A IRION
Sec'y of State

P. S. I addressed you on the 26th. ultimo, at which period no official information had been received relative to the Chargé d'Affaires, or Commissioner to run the boundary line; and the only official intelligence on the subject of those appointments is the incidental reference to it in the communication of the 17th. June.

MASON TO IRION."

NACOGDOCHES, July 15, 1837

To The Hon. R. A. IRION

SIR,

Secretary of State

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 25th ult, communicating the request of the President that I would associate myself, privately, with the Texan Minister at Washington, during the approaching session of Congress, in the furtherance of negotiations which may exist between the two governments, and especially that I use every exertion to effect the annexation of Texas to the United States.

You justly estimate the deep interest I take in the prosperity of Texas; and as a sure guarantee of that prosperity, I have always ardently desired this annexation. It will therefore be highly gratifying to me to aid in accomplishing this object, and I shall repair to Washington as early as practicable (consistent with engagements already made) and give to the resident minister my hearty cooperation.

But as this service will be voluntary, embracing no official station, I must be left to judge when my efforts shall cease to be useful, and when to retire from it.

After a long and tedious passage we arrived in this city on the 16th and will leave on tomorrow for Mobile We find Texas rather in better credit here than we expected to find it

Major Allen has been busily engaged in settling with Mr. Toby with whom he gets along admirably well. That Mr Toby has done some things wrong I have no doubt but truly I believe he has done as well as any other person could have done under the circumstances and

@A. L. S.

b July 18, 1837. See Hunt to Irion, August 4, 1837.

certainly better than any other agent has which has come within my knowledge Therefore allow me to request you not to curse him any more until you hear all, however a dam occasionally may do no harm Since I arrived here I have discovered secretly that it is the design of Mr Plummer to make use of the letters of Marque and Reprisal which you have promised him to cause a Lawless invasion of Mexico commencing at Matamoros and extending to Tampico etc and that Genl. Felix is to head the band. Now I would not have you to refuse the letters etc but I do believe that bad consequences would result to the character of Texas if the letters of Marque are not accompanied with such instructions and Limitations as will prevent the procedings which are intended by land

A fine steam ship has been purchased for the above purpose which would be a great protection to our commerce if properly conducted under Letters etc

There has been no late arrival here from Mexico which brings news of importance.

I fear from what I can learn here that we may prepare for a seperate existence as a Republic, if so I expect that several years will elapse before our country will be as prospering as its friends desire.

Your brother left here on yesterday: I have met many of your friends who enquire anxiously concerning your health etc etc Genl Dunlap is here and will leave for Texas in a few days Remember me to Richardson. I have been very unwell ever since I left Houston. Your Friend

P. S.

J PINCKNEY HENDERSON

Pardon me for neglecting to mention, Mrs. Houstons name, please give to her my compliments as I hope she accompanied you down to the Capital

JPH

FORSYTH TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS [Irion]."

[Asks credence for Chargé d'Affaires Alcée La Branche.]

FORSYTH TO HUNT.C

POINSETT TO FORSYTH.

General Felix Huston, who was in command of the Texan army in the latter part of 1836 and early in 1837.

L. S., July 21, 1837. Endorsed "rec'd 26 Octr 1837."

Two letters, both dated July 24, 1837. See Hunt to Irion, August 4, 1837.

4 July 26, 1837. See Hunt to Irion, August 4, 1837.

HUNT TO FORSYTH.a

FORSYTH TO HUNT."

FORSYTH TO HUNT.C

KENDALL TO STAYNER.d

[Giving a detailed plan for the government of postal intercourse between the United States and the Canadas, which was doubtless intended for use in devising a similar plan for that between the United States and Texas.]

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 26th. June ultimo, containing a copy of the general instructions. The particular instructions contained in your despatch shall receive. my special attention. For my views at some length upon the subject of annexation I refer you to my last official letter, dated July 11th. number 23. Herewith, I enclose you a copy of my correspondence with this government since I wrote to you last, and hope it may be satisfactory to his Excellency, the President.

I have this day presented to the Honorable John Forsyth, Secretary of State of the United States, a communication of twenty odd

August 1, 1837; probably inclosed with Hunt to Irion, August 4, 1837.

The writer was

Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General of the United States, and the person addressed was T. A. Stayner, deputy postmaster-general of British North America.