54-40 or Fight

s her sword, that

am N

s sure that the Baroness von Ritz would make no merely idle request in these circumstances. Hesitating thus, I lost sight of her in the throng. So I concluded I would obey the mandate of duty, and turned toward the great

efly, "then my me

or you this momen

unted on finding you her

is purely American function. It was some time ere the groups thinned. This latter fact usually would have ended the reception, since it is not etiquette to suppose that the president can lack an audience; but to-day Mr. Tyler lingered.

n at length we reached the president's position, the latter greeted him and added a whispered word. An instant later

t had vanished. Directed by attendants, we were presently ushered into yet another room, which at that time

other than Mr. Pakenham. So much might have been expected. What was not to have been expected was the presence of another-none

course, I needed no word from Mr. Calhoun to remind me that we must seem ignorant of t

e request, but scarcely had seated himself ere he again rose with an important clearing of his throat. He was one who never relished the democratic title of "Mr." accorded him by Mr. Tyler, who

be expressed in the first mails from England. We deplore this most unhappy accident on your warship Princeton, which has come so near working irremediable injury to this country. Unofficially, I have ventured to make this persona

friendship for yourself which comes through our long association with you. This respect and admiration are felt by myself and my official family for you and the great

the tail of my eye toward the Baroness von Ritz. She sat erect in her chair, a figure of easy grace and dignity, but on her face was nothing one could read to tel

possible the severity of that which was to follow, "I gladly take this opportunity to mention in an informal way my hope that this matter which

ined Mr. Pakenham, half rising. "Your

tters upon this continent to the extent of taking the position of open ally of the Republic of Mexico, a power so recently at w

to that, your Excellency," said he, "your remark is, as you s

the question of slavery in Texas, appears to this government as an expression which ought to be disavowed by your own gover

rty to discuss my Lord Aberdeen's wishes in this matter,"

personal kindness of your own heart might move you in so gra

his surprise, and sprang to his feet. "War!" he repe

could be any hope for us save in our own conduct of our ow

r. Calhoun's keen, cold eyes fixed closely upon the face of his preside

I mean to say, wholly unofficial, your Excellency?"

herself, the North will join the South in resentment. Even now, in restiveness at the fancied attitude of England toward Mexico, the West raises the demand that we shall end the joint

y ignorance," rej

ented a phrase which runs

I am sure, yo

l contend for all that territory, not only up to the Columbia, but north to the Russian line, the parallel of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes! We claim that we once bought Texas clear to the Rio Grande, from Napoleon, although the foolish treaty with Spain in 1819 clouded our title-in the belief of o

d Pakenham. "God ble

uch things have been,

lieve me, when the American people say fight, it has but one meaning. As their servant, I am obliged to convey that mea

age and confidence on the part of Mr. Tyler himself was something foreign to hi

s representative. Perhaps, indeed, the Berserker blood of our frontier

ch might, perhaps, not be sanctioned in her colder judgment. This nation has not asked counsel. We are not yet agreed in our Congress upon the admission of

ews which will appear full warrant for any communication thus far made by her Majesty's government. I can assure you that there has come into the possession of this lady, whose able services I venture to enlist he

ness von Ritz to speak; but now she arose, swept a curtsey

gentlemen," said she, "that I can add anything

rity with many of these late

his I have some knowledge. I can see, also, difficulty in its reception among the courageous gentlem

last night," rejoined Pakenham, plainly confused;

the face and only gravely shook her head. "I reg

an Zandt were that her Majesty might expect an early end of the talk of the annexation of Texas to the United States. The

, Mr. President. First, that this gentle lady stands high in the respect of England's ministry. Second, that Mr. Van Zandt, if all this were tru

urning to Mr. Calhoun, "may I not ask y

, but he made no answer. The real reason might have been read in the mottled face

would serve in that office more wisely than yourself, no one more in accordance with my own views as to these very questions

now for the first time went col

urposes. "This dignity, Mr. President," said he, bowing deeply again, "so unexpected, so onerous, so responsible, is one which at least needs time for

sp. He arose and bowed to Mr. Tyler. "I am sure that Mr. Calhoun will require so

ing. "That Marseillaise of '44, Mr. President, says Fifty-four

half rose and half frowned as he noticed Mr.

y of this. But the answer of Mr. Calhoun, which I await and now demand, is one which will go upon t

! I almost might have believed that Mr. Calhoun had rehearsed this with the president. Certainly, the latter knew

e, "and I have from the first moment of this surprising offer on your p

devoted to democracy and to America than I am to the South and to slavery. So will Texas be. I know what Texas means. She means for us also Oregon. She means more than that. She means also a democracy spreading across this entire continent. My attitude in that regard has been always clear. I have not sought to change it. Sir, if I take this office which you off

houn," began Mr. Tyler. "Your vie

ine face to the thin, leonine one. The pity Mr. Tyler felt for

of John Calhoun to this l

one which is

pts!" said my mast