WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
211
upon nothing else. If the adjudication of the matter by the common sense of Congress is insufficient to accord to her her rights, she has this to resort to for redress. She did not become connected with this Union as other States, have done. They have grown out of the Union. There had not been a single addition to the original thirteen States by compact. All had been acquired either by treaty or purchase, but none by a voluntary accession to your Union except Texas. She had an equal right in stipulating upon what condition she would come into the Union; she has an equal right of construing the instrument under which she became incorporated into the Union. It would be a total surrender of all the rights she possessed while sovereign, if she were now to submit them to any tribunal but to that tribunal which stands pledged on the part of this Government-the Congress of the United States. I do not know, Mr. President, what course will be adopted in relation to it. I do not know whether Congress intends to do anything in relation to the Texas boundary. I do not know whether they intend to advance all other communities, and postpone her, to her prejudice and detriment; nor am I prepared to arrive at any conclusion in my mind as to what this Senate will decide upon. But I feel it my duty, or under other circumstances (for I do not rise to detain the Senate now) I would feel it my duty to administer to them a warning. That warning I will reserve for the present. The occasion may arise when facts which have not yet been submitted will be submitted to this honorable body, for their solemn de- liberation and decision, and T'exas will await that decision, I trust, with calmness, but with a certain expectation of the result. 1 Congressional Globe, Appendix, XXII, Part 2, 1850, pp. 1478-1479. These 1·emarks were made during the debate on the Compromise Bill, in reply to Senator Benton's Speech. See the five preceding speeches on this same subject in this volume.
To THOMAS H. BAYLY 1
Senate Chamber, 6th Aug 1850
Hon Tho. H. Bayley, Chairman &c Sir. I concur with my colleagues in recommending the use of Colts Pistols on the frontier, for action, and use or defence against the Indians. I was not present when the letter was written by my Col- leagues, or I would with pleasure have signed. There is no arm
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