WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
420
would be to us a galling and intolerable despotism; but they had been reared under that despotism, and have been accustomed to it and know nothing better. They have not intelligence sufficient to comprehend liberty, or to understand the philosophy of it. Sir, there was no revolution existing in Cuba. The inception of it was here in our country, when we were on terms of peace and amity with Spain. In relation to that matter I have my opinion. Let other nations do as they will with their subjects. However glad I would be to see all mankind under a free and beneficent constitution, I must say that if it is not so, it is their own business. We have ours to attend to, and let us attend to it. If we make treaties with nations, let us maintain them inviolate. It is not only the duty of the law-makers, or the Executive of our country to maintain peace, but it is really the duty of every individual; for unlike other countries, where the will of a sovereign or a ministry directs their policy and negotiates their treaties, our sovereignty resides in the people themselves, and every man is a constituent part of that sovereignty. He delegates the power to representatives to negotiate and to establish treaties, and he is bound individually, as well as we all are bound nationally, to adhere to and maintain the national good faith. I have deplored the fate of the un- fortunate and deluded men who went there; but, sir, Cuba had no revolution progressing in her island. The revolution was progressing within the limits of the United States. There was a junta in this country making preparations for the invasion of Cuba, and not to join in a revolution there, which is a proof that there was no anticipation of a revolution in Cuba. I need only refer to the fact that when the forces landed there, there was no uprising amongst the people. Then there is no analogy between that and the condition of the people of Texas when they resisted-resisted, I say, sir, for they never rebelled. Their case is not understood, and it is due to the truth of history that a short exposition of facts should on this occasion be submitted not only to the Senate, but to a candid world. The people who emigrated from the United States to Texas, went there under a constitution almost identical with the Con- stitution of the United States, and to that constitution they swore allegiance. They had certain inducements held out to them. They were not cramped in their settlement. There was a wide domain, and it was liberally dispensed by Mexico; for in place of a little contracted farm of six hundred and forty acres, every
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