The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916 Page: 439

British Corresp1ondence Concerning Texas

sound treatment for such a state of things is to help. them with
counsels to cherish their freedom ardently, and to regulate it
wisely, and to heal their differences, and, above all things, to
instruct their Youth in the fear of God.
He would agree that it was only by such means that a fallen
White people could be raised, and where is the wisdom, or jus-
tice, of this finger of scorn against an unhappy race of Black
Men. Victims of desperate crimes and calamities, not of their
creation ?
St Domingo was no pleasing subject to draw under the notice
of the King of the French, neither, I must say, is it at all to be
detected that Mr Calhoun was better able to instruct His Majesty
therein, than on any of those other points which Ma. King was
desired to expound.
His Majesty's course with respect to the Slave Colonies of
France, and His remedies for the disastrous state of things in
St Domingo, would probably be of a totally different character
from any that He would collect from Mr Calhoun. It is indeed
to be believed that He would rather cast his looks Jamaica-wards,
in any contemplated changes on this point, than to any direction
that Mr Calhoun would indicate.
It may be observed in conclusion, that Mr Calhoun has rushed
into an extremely unfortunate situation, on this whole subject.
He has unjustly attacked Great Britain; failed in an attempt
to create coldness between France and that Power, in a moment
of some crises; most unnecessarily aggravated the distrust and
dislike with which he has long been regarded by a large part of
the people of the United States, and, at the same time, contrived
by his late Councils and correspondence, to do more injury to
the cause which it was his purpose to sustain, than the whole
host of Abolitionists in the United States could have effected in
years of agitation. I certainly am one of those persons who re-
gret the vexation and chagrin he has brought upon himself, for I
have the honour of some slight acquaintance with him, and I cor-
dially respect his high private character, and distinguished abil-
ities.
Charles Elliot.
Galveston, January 14th. 1845.
[Endorsed] In private letter from Capn Elliot of Jan. 15/45.

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