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Collection Reference Number GLC03587.09
From Archive Folder Collection of letters to John Cripps, General Gadsden's Secretary 
Title James Gadsden to John Cripps reporting that the treaty is before the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations and expects a favorable decision
Date 22 February 1854
Author Gadsden, James (1788-1858)  
Recipient Cripps, John S.  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Writes to his Secretary reporting that the treaty is before the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations and expects a favorable decision which he hopes will upset Ward. Recaps the road to their success but adds a few caveats relating to unwanted amendments to the treaty. Discusses the importance of keeping the people involved in the treaty process honest and why it is their duty to do it. Discusses the replacement of African slaves with tropical and Mexican Indian slaves. Mentions the inevitable possession of Cuba. Adds personal news. Postmarked 22 February, Washington, DC., and 17 March, possibly Acapulco.
Subjects American Statesmen  Government and Civics  Treaty  Diplomacy  Latin and South America  American West  Mexican War  Military History  Politics  Global History and Civics  Slavery  Caribbean  Congress  African American History  
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