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Collection Reference Number GLC03587.10
From Archive Folder Collection of letters to John Cripps, General Gadsden's Secretary 
Title James Gadsden to John Cripps expressing disappointment over the Committee on Foreign Affairs' slowness in passing the treaty
Date 9 March 1854
Author Gadsden, James (1788-1858)  
Recipient Cripps, John S.  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Scolds his Secretary for not writing by the last mail. Expresses disappointment over the Committee on Foreign Affairs' slowness in passing the treaty due to the "absorbing" Nebraska debate. Feels that the President's amendments will return an unfavorable vote from the committee, which he will not take lying down. Continues in this vein and links this possible outcome to Ward, who he feels is continuing to betray him. Postmarked 8 March (differs from Gadsden's dating), Washington, DC. Imprint in upper left corner depicts a capitol building surrounded by "Congress, Platmer & Smith."
Subjects American Statesmen  Government and Civics  Treaty  Diplomacy  Latin and South America  American West  Mexican War  Military History  Politics  Global History and Civics  President  Congress  Slavery  African American History  Architecture  Washington, D.C.  
People Cripps, John S. (fl. 1820-1875)  Gadsden, James (1788-1858)  
Place written Washington, D.C.
Theme Government & Politics; The Mexican War
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Gadsden was a railroad promoter and advocated a Southern rail system, the purpose of which would be to control the trade of the South and the West, thereby freeing those regions from their dependency on the North. To further this end he promoted Southern commercial conventions, and at a convention in 1845 he boldly urged the construction of a railroad to the Pacific. In 1853, when Jefferson Davis was Secretary of War in Pierce's cabinet, Gadsden was appointed minister to Mexico to negotiate for territory along the border. The result was the Gadsden Purchase. He was recalled in 1856 for exceeding his instructions. Cripps was General Gadsden's Secretary and a sawyer by profession.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859