MEXICO, October 20, 1850.
DEAR CRITTENDEN,—Mr. Marks, a gentleman of respectability and
intelligence, has just signified to me that he sets out for Washington City in
a few hours. I give you a brief letter. Attend to him and introduce him to Mr.
Webster. He is quite intimate with the government, and has been for many years
the confidential friend of some of the leading members of the cabinet. Mr.
Webster's amendments to the treaty were received about ten days ago. I have
succeeded in getting the whole of them adopted, with the exception of two.
Marks can tell you all about it. They never can be carried, if tried, to the
day the great judgment-gun shall be fired. I have tried every argument, every
persuasion, every threat, to prevail upon the cabinet to accept these two
amendments in vain. In fact, I tried very hard to have these amendments
inserted in the original treaty for three months. I believe I could prevail
upon these folks to cede the whole country to the United States sooner than
agree to these modifications. I won't trouble you with these matters. Unhappy
as I am here, anxious as I am to return home, I will not quit my post till the
end of this treaty is seen. I have some reason to believe Mr. Webster is not
satisfied with my negotiations in regard to this treaty. This fills me with the
deepest concern. It is utterly impossible for Mr. Webster to know and see
things in this country as they really exist. Under all the circumstances, I
know it was right to sign that treaty; I care not who may think to the
contrary. Mr. Webster shall have a chance of appointing some one in my place
who suits him better. I have worked hard since I have been in this country, and
expect but little thanks; but I don't deserve censure or reproach. I don't mean
to utter a word of complaint against Mr. Webster, or to say to any one else
what I have said to you, unless it becomes necessary in my own defense, and
then I'll say a damned deal. The truth is I feel a little desperate, and as
cross as—at the idea of being reproached. Damn the treaty; it's opposed by all
the foreign influence, by the opposition party, and by all the moneyed and
commercial men of this country in solid column. The newspapers have openly
charged me with forcing the government to make it. They have charged me with
the crime of controlling this government as I please. The foreign ministers
talk in the same way.
So I am, you may well imagine, worried to death, and get no thanks for
it. If anything whatever occurs, which in your judgment should render it proper
for me to resign, you are fully authorized to file my resignation at any
moment. All I care about is to see the end of this treaty, and then my mission
shall be at an end through the grace of God.
SOURCE: Ann Mary Butler Crittenden Coleman, Editor, The Life of John J. Crittenden: With Selections from His Correspondence
and Speeches, Vol. 1, p. 383-4
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