13Butler to Jackson, January 2, 1832, and Jackson to Butler, February
25, 1832, in Bassett, Correspondence
of
Jackson,
IV, 390, 409-410. Jack-
son's instructions to Poinsett of August, 1829, above noted, show that he
was well aware of Saibine Bay, and it is difficult to believe that he hon-
estly came to think that the Neches and Sabine joined to form one river.
True, we have only too many astonishing illustrations on record of Jack-
son's "irrepressible ignorance" in geographical matters . (see, e.
g.,
C. F.
Adams, ed., The
Memoirs
of
John
Quincy
Adams,
VIII, 324, and Bassett,
Correspondence
of
Jackson,
IV, 60 and note); but as to Texas topography
we have it on Poinsett's authority that Jackson was well posted. Poin-
sett, who on his return from Mexico conversed with Jackson early in
1830, tells us of the President's anxiety to obtain Texas: "He appeared
perfectly acquainted with Mexican affairs, and enquired earnestly of
Texas . . . what prospect there was of our acquiring that Territory
by purchase. He seemed much disappointed when I replied that there
was not the remotest probability of our doing so; that the Mexicans were
a proud people, and would never consent to sell one foot of their terri-
tory: that I had not made the offer officially, because I had ascertained
that such a proposal would not only be rejected, but would be regarded
as an insult." Poinsett spoke of the revolutionary feeling in Texas and
of his conviction that its revolt and annexation to the United States
were "inevitable," and declared that "the Americans in Texas, although
they would loyally fulfil their compact with the Mexican Government,
would not submit to any violation of it; and that, sooner or later, cir-
cumstances would force them into our Confederation. On hearing this,
the General took down an enormous map of that country . . . and
pouring over its bays, rivers and mountains, he pointed out the impor-
tance of its acquisition, exhibiting throughout all his observations an
intimate and even minute acquaintance with the advantages and resources
of that country, and showing that he had examined the whole subject
and every circumstance connected with it, with careful solicitude." Ora
-
tion
on
the
Life
and
Character
of
Andrew
Jackson,
Delivered
on
the
4th
of
July,
1845,
by
J.
R.
Poinsett,
at
Greenville,
S.
C.
(1845), 6-7.
