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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
and designed by Providence for the highest attainment of human intelligence, human liberty, and human happiness, consecrated to glory and the religion of the Saviour. Where is there political and religious liberty existing as untrammeled as upon this con- tinent? It should be the glory of every statesman to contribute his mite; if he had little, to give that little; if he had power, to contribute by the force of his mighty mind to the advancement of this Union. Let him drive this on with force until it has attained its culminating point of glory. It is such feelings that I thought would actuate statesmen. I have contributed my little mite-the little rill to this mighty river which I wish to see flow like that great and magnificent stream that washes the great valley and communicates to the delta. I hope to see that feeling of patriotism and concord flow in the great moral and political channel of national prosperity and glory. These have been my hopes, and nothing pecuniary, nothing selfish and nothing sec- tional did I ever cherish; for, if I were capable of permitting my feelings·, however they may be attracted to a single spot of earth, or a single section of this Union, to seek the exclusion of all others, I should feel, sir, that I was an unworthy citizen of Texas, and did not deserve the name of patriot. •1 Congressional Globe, Am1endix, XXII, Part II, 1849-1850, pp. 1462-1463. See preceding speeches on this boundary subject, June 12, 13; July 3, 25. ON THE TEXAS-NEW MEXICO BOUNDARY, JULY 31, 1850 1 I have heard with a great deal of interest the argument addressed to the Senate by the Senator from Missouri, [Mr. Benton] and I wish to notice two objections which he has made to the amendment adopted yesterday. The honorable Senator says it is not bounden duty to extend to the inhabitants of the territory acquired by the war and the treaty with Mexico the protection of our laws and institutions. I grant it, Sir; and I am sure neither the honorable Senator nor any one present regrets more than I do that the laws and institutions of the United States have not been extended to the people who comprise the inhabitants of New Mexico on the western side. It is a matter of serious regret that anything has interposed to obstruct the extension of those rights to the people of New Mexico to which they became entitled by the treaty. They are entitled to the protection of our Constitution and to the benefit of all our institutions, and had it not been for an irregular-to say the least of it,-exercise of power by the authorities of the United
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