Senator John C. Calhoun to Anna Calhoun Clemson, December 26, 1847

Washington 26th Dec 1847

MY DEAR DAUGHTER, . . . Congress, as yet, has done but little, and will not do much more, until after the 1st Jany. On the fourth of that month my resolutions,¹ in reference to the Mexican war, will come up, when the discussion on that exciting and important subject will begin. The prospect is, that I shall be able to carry them. If I should, it will do much to arrest the war. If they should be defeated. We may look for the entire conquest and subjugation of Mexico. What a fearful result it will be for our country and institutions!

Already the interest in favour of its entire conquest and subjugation is exceedingly strong; and will, if not arrested by the vote of the Senate, become overwhelmingly so. Our people have undergone a great change. Their inclination is for conquest and empire, regardless of their institutions and liberty; or rather, they think they hold their liberty by a divine tenure, which no imprudence, or folly on their part, can defeat. When my resolutions were first introduced they were regarded by many as of little importance and uncalled for; but at present they are viewed in a very different light. For my part, I consider them, as among the most important I ever introduced, regarded in their practical bearing on the course of events hereafter. I only hope, I shall be able to do them full justice in what I may say. If I should, I feel much confidence, I shall be able to arrest the present headlong enthusiasm for war, which is rapidly impelling the country to its destruction.

Give my love to Mr Clemson, and the children. Kiss them, also, for their Grandfather and tell them how much I wish to see them.

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¹ Works, IV, 396.

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, pp. 741-2