WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1832-1853
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paying court to England and France, for reasons that public policy has heretofore forbid an explanation. Nations, as well as individuals, are governed and influenced, to a great extent, by feelings of jealously and self-interest. The proposition that was made at the early period of our existence as an independent nation, to become one of the Confederate States of the American Union, did not receive a respectful consideration by the executive, or the legislative branch of the government of the United States after President Jackson's term of office expired, till the late inauguration of President Polk. In some of the Southern States, even where I expected the desired measure would received a unanimous and warm support, to my great surprise, it met with a decided and insulting rebuff. Governor McDuffie, of South Carolina, sent a message to the Legislature of that State disapproving annexation, clothed in insulting lan- guage to Texans. Self-respect, as well as interest, demanded the withdrawal of all diplomatic relations with the United States in relation to annexation. I admit that I have recommended that treaties of reciprocity be made with England, squinting even to the future extinction of slavery in Texas. When at the same time- my only object was to turn public opinion in the United States in favor of annexation. I can justify myself by the suggestion of a very natural supposition. Supposing a charming lady has two suitors. One of them she is inclined to believe would make the better husband, but is a little slow to make interesting propositions. Do you think if she was a skillful practitioner in Cupid's court she would pretend that she loved the other "feller" the best and be sure that her favorite would know it? [Laughter and applause.] If ladies are justified in making use of coquetry in securing their annexation to good and agreeable husbands, you must excuse me for making use of the same means to annex Texas to Uncle Sam. [Laughter and cheers.] I can truly rejoice with you, my fellow-citizens, that we have arrived at a period when· we are permitted to turn from the anxious and checkered past, and behold the bright and cheering future. That our annexation to the mother country is assured, there is, and can be no doubt. I consider the benefit to be derived from the measure great beyond the power of language to describe. We have an extensive public domain awaiting the magic touch of the planter to call forth its inexhaustible treasures, and when we are able to say to the civilized world that we have secured a
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