AUSTIN, [TEXAS],
August 13th, 1850.
DEAR HUNTER: I transmit
you the Gover[nor']s message to our Legislature. The people of this state are
camly determined to take possession of the Santa Fe country. There is no noise
or violent excitement about this subject. When a people know they are
rightfully protecting their own dignity and honor and have determined to do it
at every hazzard it is pretty certain they will effect their object. The first
hostile gun that is fired in this contest disolves the union. Every southern
State will stand by Texas. Hers is the common cause of the South.
Your course in the
Senate does honor to your State and yourself. As a Virginian I am proud of you.
We have heard here the compromise bill has failed. I rejoice at the fact I had
hoped it would have been so amended as to place the South on an equality with
the North, but it could not be so formed, and less than equality, would
disgrace the South. Our Governor's message speaks the voice of this state that
you may rely upon, and his views will be carried out by the Legislature. Virginia
will have to head the Southern confederacy. She has arms for herself and two
[other] Southern States, and if the union is broken, we will save the North all
further trouble with California and New Mexico, for we will take them to our
exclusive use.
(P. S.) If Taylor
had lived our Union would have vanished as it certainly will if Mr. Filmore
pursues the same policy. Such a President as poor Taylor was and such a cabinet
as he had would in four years ruin any nation that has, or ever exist[ed]. He
had not one statesman in his cabinet, they all were mere time serving
politicians from remote circumstances, in all great nation affairs.
* A Representative
in Congress from Kentucky, 1818-1815; later moved to Texas.
