54-40 or Fight | Page 3

I do accept, I shall take Mr. Upshur's and Mr. Nelson's
place only on one condition--yes, if I do, here is what I shall say to
England regarding Texas. I shall show her what a Monroe Doctrine is;
shall show her that while Texas is small and weak, Texas and this
republic are not. This is what I have drafted as a possible reply. I shall
tell Mr. Pakenham that his chief's avowal of intentions has made it our
imperious duty, in self-defense, to hasten the annexation of Texas, cost
what it may, mean what it may! John Calhoun does not shilly-shally.
"That will be my answer," repeated my chief at last. Again they looked
gravely, each into the other's eye, each knowing what all this might
mean.
"Yes, I shall have Texas, as I shall have Oregon, settled before I lay
down my arms, Sam Ward. No, I am not yet ready to die!" Calhoun's
old fire now flamed in all his mien.
"The situation is extremely difficult," said his friend slowly. "It must be
done; but how? We are as a nation not ready for war. You as a
statesman are not adequate to the politics of all this. Where is your
political party, John? You have none. You have outrun all parties. It
will be your ruin, that you have been honest!"
Calhoun turned on him swiftly. "You know as well as I that mere
politics will not serve. It will take some extraordinary measure--you
know men--and, perhaps, women."

"Yes," said Doctor Ward, "and a precious silly lot: they are; the two
running after each other and forgetting each other; using and wasting
each other; ruining and despoiling each other, all the years, from Troy
to Rome! But yes! For a man, set a woman for a trap. Vice versa, I
suppose?"
Calhoun nodded, with a thin smile. "As it chances, I need a man. Ergo,
and very plainly, I must use a woman!"
They looked at each other for a moment. That Calhoun planned some
deep-laid stratagem was plain, but his speech for the time remained
enigmatic, even to his most intimate companion.
"There are two women in our world to-day," said Calhoun. "As to
Jackson, the old fool was a monogamist, and still is. Not so much so
Jim Polk of Tennessee. Never does he appear in public with eyes other
than for the Doña Lucrezia of the Mexican legation! Now, one against
the other--Mexico against Austria--"
Doctor Ward raised his eyebrows in perplexity.
"That is to say, England, and not Austria," went on Calhoun coldly.
"The ambassadress of England to America was born in Budapest! So I
say, Austria; or perhaps Hungary, or some other country, which raised
this strange representative who has made some stir in Washington here
these last few weeks."
"Ah, you mean the baroness!" exclaimed Doctor Ward. "Tut! Tut!"
Calhoun nodded, with the same cold, thin smile. "Yes," he said, "I
mean Mr. Pakenham's reputed mistress, his assured secret agent and
spy, the beautiful Baroness von Ritz!"
He mentioned a name then well known in diplomatic and social life,
when intrigue in Washington, if not open, was none too well hidden.
"Gay Sir Richard!" he resumed. "You know, his ancestor was a
brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington. He himself seems to have

absorbed some of the great duke's fondness for the fair. Before he came
to us he was with England's legation in Mexico. 'Twas there he first
met the Doña Lucrezia. 'Tis said he would have remained in Mexico
had it not been arranged that she and her husband, Señor Yturrio,
should accompany General Almonte in the Mexican ministry here. On
these conditions, Sir Richard agreed to accept promotion as minister
plenipotentiary to Washington!"
"That was nine years ago," commented Doctor Ward.
"Yes; and it was only last fall that he was made envoy extraordinary.
He is at least an extraordinary envoy! Near fifty years of age, he seems
to forget public decency; he forgets even the Doña Lucrezia, leaving
her to the admiration of Mr. Polk and Mr. Van Zandt, and follows off
after the sprightly Baroness von Ritz. Meantime, Señor Yturrio also
forgets the Doña Lucrezia, and proceeds also to follow after the
baroness--although with less hope than Sir Richard, as they say! At
least Pakenham has taste! The Baroness von Ritz has brains and beauty
both. It is she who is England's real envoy. Now, I believe she knows
England's real intentions as to Texas."
Doctor Ward screwed his lips for a long whistle, as he contemplated
John Calhoun's thin, determined face.
"I do not care at present to say more," went on my chief; "but do you
not see, granted certain motives, Polk might come into power pledged
to the extension of our Southwest borders--"
"Calhoun,