The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume V

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188

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850

advocates of the latter, and had already put the necessary machinery at work, which has since induced Col. Monroe to act as he has acted in regard to Texas and her Commissioner, and has created the convention of twenty-three persons, who have lately proclaimed New Mexico a State. "In all these movements tending to the existence of New Mexico as a State, the people had taken no part up to the 16th of April last; on which day I left Santa Fe for Philadelphia. The speculators hacl. Every one of the persons who aided to produce the events which have since occurred there I know personally; and every one is a Government employe, as well as a speculator-and in one case, peculator. What I say, Mr. Editor, I can prove at any time and place, by witnesses; and hold myself ready so to do. Nor have I told you scarcely any- thing yet compared with what I will endeavor to state, of the manner in which the people of the United States are robbed, in New Mexico, by men who have held sway there, and who are trying still to hold it under the new aspect of things. Should you deem any information, which I may be able to give you, worthy of publication, it is at your services. "Yours respectfully, J.M. D." Now, sir, can any one suppose that this is the whole history · of the cause which led to the maltreatment of the Texan Com- missioner, or the consequences which are to flow from it? No. A Constitution is to be sent here by New Mexico, under the super- vision and direction of the President of the United States and his Cabinet, and presented as a firebrand to produce additional dis- traction in the councils of this nation, and, if possible, to defeat every salutary measure intended for the reconcilement of the difficulties which now exist. The non-action policy of the Execu- tive and his Cabinet is fraught with every mischief; it brings with it no soothing influence for the restoration of peace and harmony; it is only calculated to continue excitement, and in- crease existing evils. If New Mexico presents a Constitution, all the advocates of the administration will rally to the support of the measure; which will be urged by all the influence of posi- tion, and advanced by all the power of patronage. In what situation then will Texas be placed? Will not all those who sympathize with her situation and respect her rights, rally to her

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