and petitions sent to Congress urging the prompt recognition of Texas as an independent state. On May 23, Walker of Mississippi presented such a petition in the Senate, and moved its reference to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Calhoun, who had the necessity of increasing the number of Slave States constantly in his mind, pronounced himself at once not only in favor of the immediate recognition of the independence of Texas, but of its annexation to the United States. Webster said that, if the people of Texas had established a government de facto, it was the duty of the United States to recognize it. He was alarmed by rumors “that attempts would be made by some European government to obtain a cession of Texas from the government of Mexico.” It has frequently been observed in the history of this Republic that those who agitate for a territorial acquisition spread the rumor that European powers are coveting it. It is strange that Webster should have failed to penetrate that shallow device.
Clay was in no haste. Nearly four weeks later he reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations a resolution “that the independence of Texas ought to be acknowledged by the United States whenever satisfactory information shall be received that it has in successful operation a civil government capable of performing the duties and fulfilling the obligations of an independent power.” This resolution he introduced by a speech in which he warned against precipitate action, and
