to me pretty much at length upon the subjects touched in

this letter and keep us well advised here through newspapers

etc. as you can of what is passing at Washington.

I hope you will have the kindness to present me in

terms of personal respect to Mr Tyler, and with salutations of cordial

esteem to Col Benton and others of my old friends with whom

you may meet. Commend me kindly to Mr Raymond; and

request that he will write frequently and give us the news. Mrs

H. unites with me in salutations of respect to your lady and

yourself. Her health has been very imperfect during the fall

and winter.

February 15th 1844.

You will, my dear Sir, perceive from the dates, that

the completion of this letter has been postponed, owing to the great

pull of business, which did not terminate with the rise of Congress.

The reception of letters from friends in the United States placed

were in expectation of some very important communication from

that Govt which I have since received.

Genl Murphy the ch’d’affairs [sic] of the U.S. arrived here some

three days since, having received dispatches from his Govt requiring

immediate action. That action has been taken; and Genl J.P.

Henderson has been invested with proper powers in connection with

yourself, to conclude the subject of annexation so far as it can be

consummated by the Govt of the U.S. and our Ministers. My private

Secretary and confidential friend W.D. Miller Esq. has been appoin-

ted by me in the secret execution of this matter a Secretary of the

Special legation, and will act in connection with Mr Raymond

already there.

It would be useless for me to attempt to portray to you

the magnitude of the consequences which are to grow out of these

transactions. Millions will realize their benefits, but it is not

within the compass of mortal expression to estimate the advantages

to mankind. The measures of this Govt have not been divided without

dire considerations of the subject as far as Texas may be affected by

it. And no matter how great the ultimate advantages to the two coun-

tries may have been considered in the event of annexation, it was