ANSON JONES TO WASHINGTON DANIEL MILLER, MAY 3, 1844
Images and transcripts are available courtesy of Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
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At Home near Washington [on the Brazos] May 3rd 1844
My Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th Ulto which together with the Treaty reached this place on the 1st Inst. It found me on a sick bed where I have been confined most of the time for two weeks past. I am also indebted to Mr. Van Zandt, Gen. Henderson & Mr. Raymond [?] for their kindness in writing me lately. I am unable to reciprocate by writing either you or them more than this short note, which I have to request you & they will accept as the best return I can make at present. The negotiation of the Treaty had taken people here by surprise. There had been so many “glorious” rumors put afloat that our citizens were beginning to be very skeptical on the subject. But the reality has come now upon them unexpectedly to most of them and I can aprise [sic] you it affords the most hearty satisfaction to the public mind here as far as I am enabled to learn. They
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do not wait to know the terms of the agreement but “go it Blind” in rejoicing.
I do not partake very strongly with you in your fears about its ratification by the Senate of the U.S. The Demos are for it and the Whigs dare not pursue so suicidal a policy as to reject it. They will not “take the responsibility.” Postponement is rejection, and this is so well understood that they must meet the question[.] If they reject, the party will be broken & scattered into so many fragments that the Archangel Gabriel with his judgment day trumpet could never collect & arrange them together again[.] But “nous verrons” [we will see]
We cannot expect to obtain any assurances from England or France for guaranteeing our independence at this moment, as they are well aware that such assurances being known in the U. States would force the ratification of the treaty. They will hold off until [sic] the matter is decided, & if annexation fail, they will come in with their good offices fast enough. It will be a very easy matter for us then to “swap” an assurance of maintaining our national unity as a separate &
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distinct nation in all future time, for a guarantee to us by England & France from molestation by Mexico for the same period. Annexation therefore must necessarily be either now or never. It must be accomplished before the present Congress of the U.S. rises or it will never be done. There would soon be a triple bargain between us, Mexico & these two European powers, each would be bound by pledges which it would be inconvenient for Texas or Mexico to violate[.] Any attempt to violate them would give England & France a just cause to interfere & by force prevent the violation.
All eyes are now trained towards the U.S. to see what the Senate will do, or the Congress. In a few weeks they may all be turned to England & France. I am satisfied we will do very well in either event which may happen, and therefore keep “cool as a cucumber” & “calm as a May morning.” Remember me most kindly to all the Legation, & please present my respects to Mr. Calhoun & to Mr.Walker.
I remain your sincere friend Anson Jones
To W. D. Miller, Esq
