Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/389

 Letters and Times of the Tylers. 383

by whom he was well known to the day of his death, and the historic page, ahke concur in one beHet of his untouched honor. The statement of the President, pubHshed in the work before us, which was, however, well known in the history of the bank question, is in every respect satisfactory. Vol. II, pages 66, 98.

An excited contest arose on the tariff bills [the two first tariff bills had the protective land distribution clause] sent to the President; two had been vetoed on his known constitutional objections to protection under such laws, yet a third bill was passed by Congress, which, not- withstanding its protective features, was signed by the President. The history of this bill is peculiar and interesting, to which reference is made, Volume II, pages 180-1. The President signing it under the conviction that protection was, under it, only incidental, it was, how- ever, z. protective bill.*

The most brilliant event of Tyler's administration, it may be said, of any event since the war of 18 12, was the annexation of Texas. Tyler acted with great wisdom and skill, and deserves great credit for the success that attended his efforts. The event belongs to Ameri- can history, above and beyond the application or touch of politics, as a gem in American statesmanship that will retain its brilliancy on the historit: page as long as American history is read. The work we are noticing gives due praise to Tyler, but does not go minutely^ into the history of annexation ; indeed, it would take many pages to do it justice, yet, as far as the writer goes, he is fair, just and accurate. We cannot go into the history of the event, and the many interest- ing circumstances attending annexation. It is part of our public history, and should be read carefully by every one interested in American statesmanship. Bitter war had existed between Mexico and Texas. Negotiations were pending between Santa Anna and General Houston for an armistice, when President Tyler made pro- posals to the President of Texas for annexation to the United States. The proposition was favorably received, a treaty was signed by the Texan commissioners and Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of State, April 12th, 1844 ; i" June of the same year it was submitted to the Senate

authority to look behind the title and pass upon its protective features. That power belonged exclusively to the Legislature. Hon. John Randolph Tucker told me two years ago that the Democrats in Congress would gladly agree to get back to the tariff of 1842. — The Author.
 * The title of the bill declared it for "revenue," and the President had no

t My account is the longest, the fullest and most minute account that has ever been given of this subject of annexation. — L. G. T.