THE CIVIL WAR THROUGH SOUTHERN GLASSES 263
The question is a mere party trick. The leaders of Federalism, defeated in their schemes of obtaining power by rallying partisans to the principles of monarchism a principle of personal, not of local division have changed their tack. They are taking advantage of the virtuous feelings of the people to effect a division of parties by a geographical line ; they expect this will ensure them on local principles the majority they could never obtain on prin- ciples of Federalism.
The "question" designated by Jefferson as " a mere party trick" was, of course, the burning "negro question." So far as history informs us,
This idea of using slavery as the opening wedge with which to cleave asunder the Union was first suggested to the Federalists by John Henry, a British emissary sent to this country in 1809 to lay plans for the destruction of the Republic. The following is an extract from the letter of Governor Craig of Canada, by whom Henry was commissioned :
QUEBEC, February, 1809.
" I request you to proceed with the earliest conveyance to Boston. .... The known intelligence and ability of several of its leading men must give Massachusetts a considerable influence over the other states, and will prob- ably lead them in the part they are to take It has been supposed
that if the Federalists of the Eastern States should be successful, and obtain the decided influence which may enable them to direct public opinion, it is not improbable that, rather than submit, they will exert that influence to bring
about a separation from the general Union I enclose a credential, but
you must not use it unless you are satisfied it will lead to more confidential communications."
Henry wrote back to the authorities who had employed him in Canada that, although he found the New England Federalist leaders ripe for any measure which could sever the Union, yet that the Union sentiment was so strong among the masses of the people that he doubted if it could be immedi- ately dissolved. He suggested that the best way to further this scheme of disunion would be to get up some sectional domestic question on which the prejudices and passions of the people could be permanently divided. This policy he was sure would finally accomplish the result. The "sectional question" at which he hinted was slavery. Nor did he miscalculate!
The object of this intrigue on the part of the British govern- ment was simply to destroy the American republic either by fair means or by foul, as the following circumstance will show :
Mr. Aaron Legget, a merchant of New York and a Quaker abolitionist, stated that while in Mexico, he met Deputy Commissary General Wilson of the British army, at that time engaged, as an agent of the British govern- ment, in making the final arrangements connected with the abolition of slav-
