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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1848
Committee on Foreign Relations, David S. Kaufmann being the chairman. After a few hours of serious consideration and discussion of the matter, the question of whether or not to enter into negotiations for a treaty of peace with Mexico was put. The vote of the committee was unanimous for 1·ejecting the proposed treaty, and it was so reported back to the senate by the chairman. This ended all talk of a treaty of peace with Mexico. See the Sec1·et Journal of the ~1wte, Republic of Texas, Ninth Cong,-ess. The entire Secret Journal of the Ninth Congress is concerning this proposed treaty. SPEECH IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, MAY 8, 1848, ON THE YUCATAN BILL AND THE DAVIS AMENDMENT THERET0 1 Mr. Houston said: Could I believe that the vote would now be taken upon the bill that is now before the Senate, I should not have ventured to occupy the time of this body for one moment. But having observed that some degree of excitement has existed, and there being a reasonable probability, to my apprehension, that the debate will not speedily close, I avail myself of the privilege to state what reasons I may have for the vote that I shall give upon the bill. I grant that the proposition is somewhat novel. It has not been the policy of the Government of the United States to intermedclle in foreign politics, but to avoid, as far as possible, all entangling alliances or whatever would lead to difficulty in our relations with foreign countries. We are at present necessarily involved in a war with Mexico, of which Yucatan is an integral part, geographically speaking, but politically separated from that country. It has been since 1840 virtually a government of itself, maintaining a separate and independent existence. A war existed between the other States of Mexico and Yucatan in the years 1841 and 1842; and indeed up to the year 1843. We are aware of the relation which Yucatan has borne to Mexico during the continuance of this war between Mexico and this country. The people of that province have claimed an exemption from the burdens of the war, upon the ground of not being in any way involved in the differences which led to its commence- ment. This consideration should have some weight with us. I think, therefore, she must be regarded as entirely separated from the Mexican Republic. I regret to see anything foreign to the discussion of this single proposition, either in connection with the policy of the pre.sent war or with other matters equally irrelevant. It is a course, however, which must now be followed to some extent. No matter
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