Washington 7th March 1848
MY DEAR SIR, The
last Steamer brought a letter from Anna to me, the only one received by it. I
am happy to learn by it, that she had entirely recovered from the attack of the
Influenza, and that you and the children had escaped and were in such excellent
health.
Since I wrote you
last, the only occurrence, in the political world on this side, of marked
importance, is the treaty with Mexico. It is now under deliberation in the
Senate, and has been for the last nine days. No decisive vote has yet been taken;
but I do not doubt, that the Senate will give its advise and consent to its
ratification. The final vote will probably be taken tomorrow, or next day at
fartherest.
Its fate will,
however, be still uncertain. Some important amendments have been made, to which
the Mexican Government may object, although I do not think it probable. The
greatest danger is, that the Government may not hold together until the treaty
is exchanged. Nothing but the countenance of our Government, and the support of
capitalists interested in preserving it, can continue it in existence. It is,
indeed, but the shadow of a Government.
As to the terms of
the treaty, they are not such as to confer any eclat on the war, or the
administration. I cannot of course speak of them in detail, but may say, the
end of all our expenditure of blood and money is, to pay the full value in
money for the country ceded to us, and which might have been had without a war,
or for the 10th part of its cost by taking a defensive line from the first, as
I advised. The desire for peace, and not the approbation of its terms, induces
the Senate to yield its consent.
The presidential
election is in as great uncertainty as ever. The whigs are violently devided
between Clay and Taylor, and the democrats know not who to rally on. It is,
indeed, a mere struggle for the spoils, and the selection of both parties will
in the end be governed solely by the availability of the candidate, and not his
qualifications.
I enclose two
letters for Anna, which will give all the home news.
The winter has been
delightful, and highly favourable for agricultural operations.
My health is good.
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. 745-6
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