“I beg pardon, I am sure, your Excellency?”

“It means that if we conclude to terminate the very unsatisfactory muddle along the Columbia River—­a stream which our mariners first explored, as we contend—­and if we conclude to dispute with England as well regarding our delimitations on the Southwest, where she has even less right to speak, then we shall contend for all that territory, not only up to the Columbia, but north to the Russian line, the parallel of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes!  We claim that we once bought Texas clear to the Rio Grande, from Napoleon, although the foolish treaty with Spain in 1819 clouded our title—­in the belief of our Whig friends, who do not desire more slave territory.  Even the Whigs think that we own Oregon by virtue of first navigation of the Columbia.  Both Whigs and Democrats now demand Oregon north to fifty-four degrees, forty minutes.  The alternative?  My Lord Aberdeen surely makes no deliberate bid to hear it!”

“Or fight!” exclaimed Pakenham.  “God bless my soul!  Fight us?”

Mr. Tyler flushed.  “Such things have been,” said he with dignity.

“That is to say,” he resumed calmly, “our rude Westerners are egotistic and ignorant.  I admit that we are young.  But believe me, when the American people say fight, it has but one meaning.  As their servant, I am obliged to convey that meaning.  In this democracy, the will of the people rules.  In war, we have no Whigs, no Democrats, we have only the people!”

At this astounding speech the British minister sat dumfounded.  This air of courage and confidence on the part of Mr. Tyler himself was something foreign to his record.  I knew the reason for his boldness.  John Calhoun sat at his right hand.

At least, the meaning of this sudden assault was too much for England’s representative.  Perhaps, indeed, the Berserker blood of our frontier spoke in Mr. Tyler’s gaze.  That we would fight indeed was true enough.

“It only occurs to us, sir,” continued the president, “that the great altruism of England’s heart has led her for a moment to utter sentiments in a form which might, perhaps, not be sanctioned in her colder judgment.  This nation has not asked counsel.  We are not yet agreed in our Congress upon the admission of Texas—­although I may say to you, sir, with fairness, that such is the purpose of this administration.  There being no war, we still have Whigs and Democrats!”

“At this point, your Excellency, the dignity of her Majesty’s service would lead me to ask excuse,” rejoined Mr. Pakenham formally, “were it not for one fact, which I should like to offer here.  I have, in short, news which will appear full warrant for any communication thus far made by her Majesty’s government.  I can assure you that there has come into the possession of this lady, whose able services I venture to enlist here in her presence, a communication from the Republic of Texas to the government of England.  That communication is done by no less a hand than that of the attache for the Republic of Texas, Mr. Van Zandt himself.”