Senator John C. Calhoun to Thomas G. Clemson, February 4, 1848

Washington 4th Feb: 1848

MY DEAR SIR, . . . My speech¹ has had a very wide circulation and the impression is, that it has made a deeper impression than any I ever delivered. It brought to the surface the strong feeling, which had been working below in favour of the conquest and holding as a Province, or annexing all Mexico; and which I can hardly doubt, if not intended, was looked to by the administration, as not an undesirable result. It has done more. It has turned the tide and brought the Union to a disavowal; but, I fear, that things have gone so far, that it will be found difficult to avoid a result so disastrous, as it would prove, should it occur. It seems, at least, pretty certain, if I had not promptly made the movement, and taken the stand I did, such would have been the result of the War. Strange as it may seem, neither side had the least conception, that there was any danger of it, when I introduced my resolutions. Both were disposed to regard this, as a mere abstraction and an unnecessary precaution, but now all take a different view.

The effect has been, to give a new direction to the debate on the supplies of both men and money; and one, on the part of the opposition, far more effecient. It is making on their side far deeper impression on the country, so much so, that nothing short of a treaty, or adopting the plan I suggested, can save the administration, if even that now can. The indication at present is, a disposition on their part to adopt the policy of a defensive line. If nothing else, the financial difficulties will compel them to treat, or fall back.

The Presidential question is of course a leading topick. Clay's friends have made great efforts to bring him forward, but, it is said, in quarters which ought to know, without success. My impression still remains, that Taylor will be the Whig, or rather the popular candidate, against what may be called the Administration Candidate. Who that will be is doubtful. At present the prospect of Cass would seem to be the most promising.

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¹ See the preceding letter, and Works, IV, 396–424.

SOURCE: J. Franklin Jameson, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1899, Volume II, Calhoun’s Correspondence: Fourth Annual Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, Correspondence of John C. Calhoun, p. 742-3