WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
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it, to refuse this acknowledgment to our own citizens, who are thus honored by a foreign power; or will we admit that these individuals, being citizens of this country, are not only honored themselves, but that it is according something to the genius of his countrymen, and the nation of which these gentlemen form a part? I think this honor is not exclusively appropriated to these gentlemen, but that it reflects honor upon the ·whole country. As for the precedent it sets, I view all matters that come before this body as placed upon their own peculiar claims to considera- tion, and I would remit, if it were an act of justice, and a matter of right, every cent that has ever been paid to this Government by individuals under similar circumstances. I shall vote for the resolution, because to retain the tax would be an act of littleness on the part of the Government, and would shame the potentate who made the present, when he found that our Government had not the liberality to admit untaxed those presents which he had sent to our citizens as a compliment to their genius. 1 Cong1·essional Globe, Part 2, 1st Sess., 31st Cong., 1849-1850, p. 1125. A RESOLUTION CONCERNING TEXAN BOUNDARY CLAIMS IN NEW MEXICO, JUNE 11, 1850 Mr. Houston submitted the following resolution, which was considered by unanimous consent and agreed to: Resolution, That the President of the United States be requested to inform the Senate whether any orders have been issued to any military officer or officers at Santa Fe to hold possession against the authorities of Texas, or in any way to embarrass or prevent the exercise of her jurisdiction over that country, and that he be requested to furnish the Senate with any correspondence which may have taken place between the War Department and the military stationed at Santa Fe, since the date of his last com- munication to the Senate on that subject. 1 Congressiom£l Globe, Part 2, 1st Sess., 31st Cong., 1849-1850, p. 1179. A SPEECH ON THE TEXAS-NEW MEXICO BOUNDARY, JUNE 12, 1850 1 Mr. Houston. I must confess that I was somewhat surprised at the course of the Senator from Illinois in offering his amend- ment. I do not impugn his motives, for I know they are always pure, and I know his actions are always prompted by a generous heart. But while Texas is receiving so many hard knocks, and
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