Any less earnest body of men would have been discouraged, but the Abolition party was composed of devotees possessing the true martyr spirit, and, instead of being appalled by defeat, they were inspired with fresh zeal, and incited to new effort. They had not failed to observe, that, while few were disposed to unite in extreme anti- slavery measures, there was a growing number whose conscience was aroused on the general subject of human bondage. The emancipation of negroes with a view to their settlement in Africa, as advocated by the Colonization Society, received the support of conservative opponents of slavery, the sympathy of the Churches, and the patronage of leading men among the slave-holders of the Border States. The National Government was repeatedly urged to give its aid to the scheme; and, during the excitement on the Missouri question, Congress appropriated $100,000, nominally for the return of Africans who had been unlawfully landed in the United States after the slave trade was prohibited, but really as an indirect mode of promoting the project of colonization. As a scheme for the destruction of domestic slavery it was ridiculed by the Abolitionists, who in the end violently opposed it as tending to deaden the public conscience to the more imperative duty of universal emancipation. The philanthropic efforts of the Society were abundantly rewarded, however, by the establishment of the Republic of Liberia, whose career has been eminently creditable and advantageous to the African race. CHAPTER II. Review of events before 1860 (_continued_).--Early Efforts to acquire Texas.--Course of President Tyler.--Mr. Calhoun appointed Secretary of State.--His Successful Management of the Texas Question. --His Hostility to Mr. Van Buren.--Letters of Mr. Clay and Mr. Van Buren opposing the Annexation of Texas.--Mr. Clay nominated as the Whig Candidate for the President in 1844.--Van Buren's Nomination defeated.--Mr. Polk selected as the Democratic Candidate.--Disquietude of Mr. Clay.--His Change of Ground.--His Defeat.--Prolonged Rivalry between Mr. Clay and General Jackson.--Texas formally annexed to the Union.