Daniel Webster letter to Nicholas Biddle, 10 September 1838

Boston Sept'r 10th 1838

My Dear Sir

I have rec'd . your favor of the 8th instant. The decision of the Gov't of Texas, to withdraw its application for a union with the U. States, is, in my judgment, an event, eminently favorable, to both countries. She now stands, as an independant state, looking to her own power, & her own resources, to maintain her place among the nations of the earth, an attitude, vastly more respectable, than that which she held, while solicitous to her own political character, & to become part of a neighbouring country. Seeking, thus, no longer a union with us, & assuming the ground of entire independence I think it highly important to the interests of the U. States, that Texas should be found able to maintain her position. Any connexion with a European State, so close as to make her dependent on that State, or to identify her interests with the interests of such State, I should regard as greatly unfortunate for us. I could not but regret, exceedingly, to see any union between those parts of our continent, which have broken the chain of European dependence & the Governments of Europe; whether those, from which they have been disunited, or others. You Remember the strong opinion, expressed by Mr . Monroe that the U.S. could not consent to the recolonization of those portions of this Continent, which had severed the ties, binding them to a European connexion, & formed free & independent Governments for themselves; or to the establishment of other European Colonies, in America The spirit, & reason, of these sentiments, would lead us to regard with just fear, & therefore with just jealousy, any connexions, between our near American neighbours, & the powerful states of Europe, except those of friendly & useful commercial intercourse. It is easy to forsee the evils with which any other connexion, than that last mentioned, between Texas & one of the great sovereignties of Europe, might threaten us. Not to avert to those of a high & political character, one, likely to have a direct bearing on our commerce, a connexion on the great staple of our southern production. Texas is destined, doubtless, to be a great cotton producing country, & which we should cheerfully concede to her all the advantages which her soil & climate afford to her, in sustaining a competition with ourselves, we could not behold, with indifference, a surrender, by her, of her substantial in dependence, for the purchase of exclusive favors & privileges, from the hands of a European Government.

The competency of Texas to maintain her Independence depends, I think, altogether on the character of her Gov't. & its administration. I have no belief, at all, in the power of Mexico to re-subjugate Texas, if the latter country shall be well governed. The same consideration decides, also, the question, whether a loan to Texas would be safe. I have supposed, that her new formed Gov't was gradually strengthening, & improving, in all the qualities requisite for the respectable exercise of National power. That in institutions so recent, there should be, for a time, some irregularity of action, is to be expected. But if those to whose hands her destinies are now committed, shall look steadily to two great objects, first, real & absolute, as well as nominal, National Independence, & second, the maintenance of a free & efficient Gov't., of which good faith shall, from the beginning, be a marked characteristic, I see nothing to render it less safe to regulate money transactions with her, than with the Gov'ts . of other countries. On the other hand, if a spirit of speculation & project should appear to actuate her councils, & if she should trifle with her public domain, involve herself in contradictory obligations, or seek to establish her prosperity on any other foundations, than those of justice & good faith, there would, then, be little to be hoped, either in regard to punctuality in pecuniary engagements or to the probability of her maintaining an independent National character.

My opinion, on the whole, is, that the prospects of Texas are now far better & brighter than they have ever been be fore; that the interests of our own country require, that she should keep herself free from all particular European connexion; & that whatever aid can be furnished to her, by individuals, or corporations, in the U. States, in the present state of her affairs, to enable her to maintain a truly independent & national character, would tend to promote the welfare of the U States, as well as of Texas herself.