WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
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paid immediately upon the exchange of the ratification of the treaty, the remaining $3,000,000 to be reserved until the boundary had been "surveyed, marked, and established." But before the boundary could be surveyed and established, a group of citizens from the United States (Texans) moved into territory, the ownership of which had not been definitely determined. Mexico protested. When the matter was under discussion in the Senate, Rusk offered an amendment to the conditions of fulfilment of Article III of the treaty. In effect he said that the President of the United States should be authorized to pay to Mexico $2,000,000 of the $3,000,000 that had been reserved for the completion of the survey and establishment of the boundary. Houston's remarks merely supported the amendment of his colleague. For the treaty mentioned above, see William Malloy, T1·eaties, Convent-ions, lntenzal Acts, P1·otocols, cmcl Agreem.ents between the United States and Other Powe1·s, 1776-1907, Vol. I, pp. 1121-1125.
To MRS. SIGOURNEY 1
Washington, March 6, 1855 Dear Lady The acknowledgment of your beautiful present has been deferred for some days owing to the press of business in Congress, as well as preparation necessary to enable me to depart for home, and meet the embraces of my Dear Wife and bairns. Thus far, I have not had time even to peruse your work, which our friend, Col. Colt assures me is highly interesting. I will not indulge in the luxury of its perusal, until Mrs. Houston and my- self can unite in the pleasure. Your Poems, Lady, afford her the purest delight, and form with her a theme of frequent commendation. Had I failed to make my visit to "Mrs. Sigourney," while in Hartford, it would have been a cause of regret on her part, and justified a "Curtain Lecture." Should design; or chance ever cause you to visit our beautiful land of flowers, I can assure you, Lady, that Mrs. H. and myself and all the little members of our family, will unite in giving you a cordial rustic welcome. Very Respectfully and truly Thine Sam Houston. Mrs. Sigourney, Hartford Conn. 1 Houston Letters, 1896-1860, Texas State Library. This copy of a letter from Houston was sent to the Texas State Library on January 10, 1905, by Mr. George E. Hoadley of Hartford, Connecticut. ZLydia Howard Huntley Sigourney was born September 1, 1791, and died June 10, 1865. She was a writer of some merit, and had considerable influ- ence in politics during the late 1850's.
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