y abolishing African slavery throughout this continent; and
that she avows to be the constant object of her policy and exertions."
Senate doc. No. 1, 28th cong. 1st sess. p. 44.

[52] President Tyler's message to the senate. 22nd April, 1844.

[53] Letter of President Tyler to the Richmond Enquirer in 1847.

[54] President Jackson's letter 17th March, 1844, written in consequence
of a private mission to him from President Houston of Texas.

CHAPTER V.

Change of public feeling as to annexation--Election of President Polk
--Mr. Clay defeated by the abolitionists--Almonte's threat--
President Tyler attempts to soothe Mexico--His failure to do so
--Mexican projects of reconquest--Want of confidence in Santa
Anna--Loans--Downfall and disgrace of Santa Anna--His expulsion to
Cuba--Herrera made provisional president--Congress of United States
reconsiders annexation--Joint resolution passed with an alternative
of negotiation--President Tyler adopts the first clause, and why--
European intrigues--France and England operating on Texas and Mexico
--Mexico offers independence provided Texas will not annex herself
to the United States--Defeat of the foreign scheme.

When Congress met in December, 1844, a remarkable change had come over
the political would in the United States. The extraordinary popularity
of Mr. Clay induced reflective men to believe, at the close of the last
session, that he would be elected president, and that the prospects of
immediate annexation would probably be blighted by that event. The great
body of his partizans opposed the project of President Tyler; but the
Democratic convention, assembled in Baltimore, in May, inscribed the
fortunes of Texas on its banner together with the name of that party's
candidate. The south immediately rallied around it, whilst the north
assumed strange grounds of objection to the course of Mr. Clay. The
Native American and Abolition parties in New York professed to vote with
the friends of that gentleman in consequence of his opposition to
annexation, and yet a sufficient number to defeat his election cast
their ballots in direct contradiction of their principles. This was but
another lesson of the danger of confiding in men or parties who have but
a single idea. The folly of fanaticism commonly leads to violent
inconsistencies, but perhaps a more palpable one was never exhibited
than in the result of the presidenti