51
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON,. 1848
Why? Because she never thought of any other than the natural boundary of the Rio Grande, and the original boundary of the Province of Texas. Mexico knew that the Texan Government exercised jurisdiction up to the line of the Rio Grande, and they never raised the question. Mexico was acquainted with the laws of Texas. An act was passed for their translation and publica- tion. And would not that country particularly examine every act that was passed in Texas, when they were eagerly watching to take every possible advantage? Can it be believed that Mexico had not, from the year 1836 to the year 1844, known of the act declaring the boundary of Texas?~ Our recognition by the great Powers of the earth was made in the face of that boundary enact- ment. The boundary never was disputed. Texas never had but one boundary, and that was the Rio Grande. Mr. Davis. Does the Senator know who exercised jurisdic- tion from Santa Fe up to the Rio Grande? Who held jurisdiction over all the territory of New Spain, down the valley of the Rio Grande, to the mouth of the Brazos? Mr. Houston: From the Presidio de Rio Grande, the coun- try was occupied by the cavalry of Texas, for the purpose of protecting the traders, and of assisting the Comanche Indians. Above that, it was occupied by bands of Indians and perhaps some half-civilized Mexicans-Texas waiting until she was in a situation to occupy it more conveniently. That Texas considered that country as a portion of her Republic, was never doubted. An unfortunate expedition was directed to that country, but it was so thoroughly mismanaged, that those connected with it were captured and taken to Mexico as prisoners. 3 Had orders been given differently, and had the expedition been placed under sagacious and wise leaders, they would have possessed them- selves of the country. This circumstance, however, which oc- curred, as nearly as I can recollect, in 1840, 3 did not change the relations of Texas to that country. Overtures had been made to the government of Texas by the people residing there, who desired to come under our jurisdiction, to have the benefit of our laws and institutions. The matter was conducted without the caution that was necessary, and without the wisdom proper for its guidance to a successful result. This was anterior to entering into negotiations between the United States and Texas, for annex- ation. The United States were under no obligations to Texas, until they assumed those obligations, and then the army and navy of the United.States had been placed at the disposal of the President of Texas. He had the control of both the army and navy. The
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