Eben07

FOR IMMEDIATE DECLASSIFICATION

Abel and Defining the American Frontier

Approved for dissemination by J. Herman Shepard

SUBJECT: I.C.A. and Abel’s activity in the 1840s, with attention to William Henry Harrison, the Annexation of Texas, and presidential politics.

The whole continent of North America appears to be destined by Divine Providence to be peopled by one nation, speaking one language, professing one general system of religious and political principles, and accustomed to one general tenor of social usages and customs. For the common happiness of them all, for their peace and prosperity, I believe it is indispensable that they should be associated in one federal Union.

- John Quincy Adams, 1811 in a letter to his father

While at odds over the Monroe Doctrine’s call, Abel took a liking to John Quincy Adams’ calls for continentalism and the expansion and national definition of the United States. Abel spent exhaustive time at his work with the Intelligence Cleaner Agency (then known as the Covert Colonial Cleaning Protectorate) on ensuring the success of  covert operations during the Texas Revolution and expansion of the west during the 1830s.

After cleaning the mess from the Texas Revolution, Abel finally felt it time to return to the east when it was announced that his friend William Henry Harrison had become elected president. Harrison knew Abel from his time as working on secret work during 1812 and particularly the invasion of Canada and the Battle of Thames. Abel contributed compelling evidence to Congress regarding Harrison’s resignation as Commander of the Army Northwest in 1814.

Both men were known for being long-winded lectures. It is even rumored Abel may have played a strong hand in working on Harrison’s record length inaugral address. The address cost Harrision his life as he orated for hours in the wet and cold of a March snowstorm without a hat or coat. At the age of 68, this was a poor decision, even by Abel’s judgment.

Harrison passed in 1841 and was then replaced by John Tyler – whom Abel did not regard in high esteem. Abel had longed warned of Tyler being of no use to Harrison, and in the first and only month of Harrison’s presidency it was clear Tippecanoe didn’t need Tyler, too.

When “Tyler, too” took office in 1841, Abel retreated from view and back to his duties – silently. Many members of Tyler’s inherited cabinet followed by resigning from Tyler’s administration shortly after it began.

Abel and 3CP activity resurfaced in 1842 when Tyler was brought up on impeachment charges – interestingly enough by John Quincy Adams – and a letter from Abel applauded the effort.

“Mr. Adams, I trust you realize (Tyler) as the divisive snake he is. This accident of a man wishes to annex Texas and make us bound to the curse of slavery, tumbling our states into war with Mexico. When our nation seeks to erase the stain of slavery from our history, I assure you he will not be on the cause of preservation of this great union.” – Abel to Adams 1842

The impeachment failed, and Tyler continued his presidency. Sure enough, in 1845, Texas was annexed and provoked war with Mexico with the support of newly elected president, James K. Polk. Abel returned to Texas to use his talents in the ensuing war, which Abel was floored by what appeared to be a major land grab – however – Abel had no time or taste for getting involved in politics with all the work that needed to be done. Polk’s war secured much of the land that makes up California and set the Mexican-American border along the Rio Grande River in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

The three year war took its toll on Abel and he allegedly spent much of 1849 vacationing in Sacramento area of California, pursuing gold.