424
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1853
Owing to the peculiar character of the troubles on the frontier of Texas, and the general excitement amongst the Indians in the United States belonging to the frontier of Texas, three regi- ments of men were called out by General Gaines, who was then stationed within twenty-five miles of the Sabine, the boundary separating Texas from the United States. It was thought, owing to the great excitement in Texas and the activity of our revolution, that if the troops were drawn near the borders they would desert and go to Texas. If they had done so it would have made the Executive of the United Stat~s liable or subjected him to the imputation of bad faith, and it would have been said that it was a mere ruse for the purpose of introducing Americans into Texas. In order to show his views on that occasion, let me read an abstract from General Jackson's letter to General Gaines, in August, 1836: "The obligations of our treaty with Mexico, as well as the general principles which govern our intercourse with foreign Powers, require us to maintain a strict neutrality in the contest which now agitates a part of that Republic. So long as Mexico fulfills her duties to us, as they are defined by the treaty, and violates none of the rights which are secured by it to our citizens, any act on the part of the Government of the United States which would tend to foster a spirit of resistance to her Govern- ment and laws, whatever may be their character and form, when administered within her own limits and jurisdiction, would be unauthorized and highly improper."-Ex. Doc. 1836, 1837. l'ol. 1. Doc. 2, p. 58. Sir, could a more positive act of discountenance have been given to any part of the people on the frontier to join in the revolution that was then progressing in Texas? Not at all. And even after that, we find he was not satisfied by the discourage- ments that he had given their taking any participancy in the warfare, but we find him more conclusive, if possible, and more determined that the imputation of suspicion should not attach to this Government while he wore the scepter placed in his hands by the American people ; for he said, in a message to the Senate of December 22, 1836: "It is true with regard to Texas, the civil authority of Mexico has been expelled, its invading army defeated, the chief of the Republic himself captured, and all present power to control the newly-organized Government of Texas annihilated within its confines. But on the other hand, there is an appearance at least
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