Gadsden, James (1788-1858) to John Cripps
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03587.10 Author/Creator: Gadsden, James (1788-1858) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 March 1854 Pagination: 4 p. : address ; 25 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
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."
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.
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