WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
87
The suspension of business attendant on the removal of the public archives and documents, with other. reasons, has rendered it impossible to lay before congress detailed reports of the sev- eral departments of the government, showing their condition; but so soon as practicable, and at an early day, they will be sub- mitted, and all important information referred to congress. Not unconnected with the naval force of the country, is the subject of the African slave trade. It cannot be disbelieved that thousands of Africans have lately been imported to the island of Cuba, with a design to transfer a large portion of them into this republic. This unholy and cruel traffic has called down the reprobation of the humane and just of all civilized nations.- But abhorrence to it is clearly expressed in our constitution and laws. Nor has it rested alone upon the declaration of our policy, but has long since been a subject of representation to the govern- ment of the United States, our ministers apprising it of every fact which would enable it to devise such means as would prevent either the landing or introduction of Africans into our country. The naval force of Texas not being in a situation to be divested from our immediate defence, will be a sufficient reason why the government of the United States, and England should employ such a portion of their force in the Gulf as will at once arrest the accursed trade and redeem this republic from the suspicion of connivance which would be as detrimental to its character as the practice is repugnant to the feelings of its citizens. Should the traffic continue the odium cannot rest upon us, but will remain a blot upon the escutcheon of nations who have power, and with- hold their hand from the work of humanity. It will be proper to remark that our attitude in relation to the subject of annexation to the U. S. of America, has undergone no important change since the adjournment of the last session of congress. Our ministers at Washington City gave to the subject of our national concerns, their able zealous and untiring atten- tion, and much credit is due them for the character which they sustained in advocating our interests at a foreign court. The period at which the congress of the United States was compelled to adjourn, prevented any action of that government, relative to annexation. It will, it is hoped, be referred to the action of the next session, and receive its early determination. In the meantime, it will be proper for Texas to pursue a course of policy which will be beneficial to her in a character substantive, and to secure her existence and her rights, without
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