WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1849
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determine to revive the institution of slavery within her limits, or Louisiana resolve to abolish it in her own, so long as each retained a republican form of government, the National Congress could no more rightfully interfere with the action of either in this behalf, than the Khan of Tartary, or the Pasha of Egypt. Those who honestly seek to circumscribe the territorial limits of slavery in this Union, to ameliorate the condition of the slave or to abbreviate the era of servitude, would if influenced by humanity, prudence, and ordinary intelligence, never resort to Congress to effect that object; inasmuch as that body must be guilty of a great usurpation of power, before it could act upon their applications. Slave labor must be rendered unprofitable in the territory where it is now advantageously employed, before it will be abandoned. Whether the improvements of any age will effect so great a revolution in our social system~ the future must disclose. But, until the change is peacefully brought about with the co-operation and consent of the people of the slaveholding states, the institution will continue to exist, subject to such modifications, regulations, and restrictions, as the domestic leg- islatures may impose. So far, however, as the subject under consideration relates to the existing territories of the United States, I believe that in less than two years, it will be amicably settled by their admission into the Union as States under con- stitutions with or without slavery, as the people may desire. Then the other odious Proviso will be put to rest forever, and Nullification will have performed the last act of her comedy, and will be hissed off the stage. .You say that you are my enemy. I am not yours; for I wish you many years of happiness, and that your declining sun may shied its last rays upon the stars and stripes-the emblem of imperishable Union. With these sentiments, I have the honor to bid you finally adieu. Sam Houston. 1 The Texas Banner (Huntsville), October 5, 1849. An extract from this letter, dated September 25, 1849, was printed in The Red Land Express, June 16, 1860. For biographical data on James Gadsden (May 15, 1788-December 26, 1858), a railroad president, promoter of Southern nationalism, minister to Mexico, see P. N. Garber, The Ga.d8den Treaty,- J. F. Rippy, The United States and Mexico; U. B. Phillips, A History of Tmnspo1-tation in tha
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