Mexico, on achieving her independence of the Spanish Crown ... decreed the abolition of human slavery within her dominions, embracing the province of Texas..

Question

At this period, citizens of the United States had already begun to (move) into Texas.... The idea was ... that this extensive province ought to become a part of the United States...
A current of emigration soon followed from the United States. Slaveholders crossed the Sabine (river between Louisiana and Texas) with their slaves, in defiance of the Mexican ordinance of freedom. Restless spirits, discontented at home ... joined them... The work of rebellion sped. Our newspapers excited the lust of territorial robbery in the public mind.... Certainly (Mexico) ... might justly charge our citizens with disgraceful robbery, while, in seeking extension of slavery, (our own citizens denied) the great truths of American freedom....

Did Charles sumner have the support of the people of Massachusetts? Provide evidence and explain your thinking in the text.

Answer 1

Charles Sumner, a senator from Massachusetts, was a vocal opponent of the expansion of slavery into Texas. He argued that it was a violation of the Mexican ordinance of freedom and a denial of the great truths of American freedom. Sumner's stance was supported by the people of Massachusetts, as evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected to the Senate in 1851 and 1857. Furthermore, in 1856, the Massachusetts legislature passed a resolution condemning the expansion of slavery into Texas and other territories. This resolution was supported by a majority of the people of Massachusetts, demonstrating their support for Sumner's stance on the issue.