The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 23, July 1919 - April, 1920 Page: 17
319 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Texas Annexation Sentiment in Mississippi, 1885-1844 17
slavery question involved, though, as has been noted, the Demo-
crats owned few slaves; while a radical element led by Felix
Huston, a former Whig, threatened secession and disunion if an-
nexation were delayed. About ninety per cent of the Whig party,
in the State-roughly speaking--opposed immediate action in re-
gard to Texas, chiefly because their great leader did; the other
ten per cent bolted the party when it came to voting against
Texas; and it may safely be said that when it was all over, and
Texas was within the Union, not one-tenth of one per cent of
the Whig party within the State would have undone the result.
While the desirability of acquiring Texas was put chiefly upon
sectional grounds, other arguments were adduced by its advocates
in Mississippi in favor of annexation. In the campaign of 1844,
practically every argument is urged with which the student of
this period is familiar; much stress was placed upon the economic
advantages that would accrue to the country as a whole and to
the South in particular. The report that Great Britain was con-
sidering the recognition of Texas led the Woodville Republican
to observe that Texas as an independent State would be enabled
to compete with the United States in supplying Europe with cot-
ton; the higher duty exacted upon the goods purchased by the
cotton of the South by the national government would drive much
of the planting capital of the Southwestern States to Texas.
Great Britain needed Texas cotton; hence her interest in seeing
a permanent government set up in that country. "Will the cot-
ton planter take a hint? or plunge headlong into ruin to gratify
the vaulting ambition of a party favorite.""4
From the above it is clear that there existed in Mississippi, as
in every other Southern State, a keen and large body of sentiment
in favor of the reception of a great slave-holding community by
the United States; but in Mississippi as elsewhere in the South,
during the years that intervened between the attainment of inde-
pendence of Texas and the appearance of Tyler's message upon
the subject, opposition manifested itself in connection with an-
nexation. The attitude of Governor McDuffie of South Carolina
has been frequently commented upon. Upon his retirement from
office in 1836 he made use of the following language: "You are
doubtless aware that the people of Texas, by an almost unanimous"Issues of May 5, 1838; October 8, November 26, 1842.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 23, July 1919 - April, 1920, periodical, 1920; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101075/m1/23/?rotate=90: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.