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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
States, they would long since have been incorporated into the Union into which they were promised admission. Texas in 1848, when Colonel Washington commanded there, appointed a judge and sent him to incorporate the people into the state of Texas and to extend to them the benefits of judicial protection, and had not Colonel Washington interfered with that judicial officer in the exercise of his functions, as far back as the Fall or Winter of 1848 they would have been incorporated into this Union. They were not promised a separate government, or incorporation as a separate community. They were entitled to the protection of the laws of this country, but beyond that they were promised nothing. If they had been organized within the jurisdiction of Texas, would they not have become a part of the Union; and would not, therefore, all the benefits and privileges of the Con- stitution have been extended to them? But this was not done; and who is to blame for it? The military authorities of the United States have interfered with the jurisdiction of Texas, or all the pledges made to these people would have been redeemd. That is one point. I deplore that any pledge to these people should be unredeemed, but I have accounted for its non-redemp- tion. But, sir, we are told that New Mexico has been estopped from the enjoyment of certain privileges; that the United States have exercised bad faith towards her, and have not complied with their obligations. These people were not organized; they were ceded to the United States by a treaty based upon the conquest of the country, or purchase, if you please; but they had entered into no compact; it was the government of which they had formed a part, and which possessed the sovereignty, that had done it; these people never existed as a sovereignty. And, sir, if New Mexico has been postponed for two years from the enjoyment of rights promised to her, how long, I ask you, Mr. President, has Texas been postponed? Five years, and no response is ready for her now, when she asks the termination of her difficulties. New Mexico never was an organized community, except under a despotism; and you have withheld privileges from her for two years. But, sir, you have withheld from Texas, a high con- tracting party, her rights for six years, and there is none to sympathize with her-no one to commiserate her disappoint- ments. She is doomed to endure them alone. For what? Because she was anxious-voluntarily, unpurchased, and unbidden-to become a part of this Union. And is this the requital you give to her for all the ardor of her devotion, and the sincerity of her
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