521
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
an absurdity to the common sense of the age. Your fears may have given it a character different from that to which it was entitled. Examine the circumstances accompanying it. It was not an act of Texas; Congress had refused to sanction any enter- prise of the kind. A number of individuals were anxious to open a lucrative trade - as they believed it would be- with Santa Fe. Such a commerce has been carried on for years by the citizens of the United States, from Missouri; and the preparations connected with the fact that the citizens took with them a considerable amount of merchandise, show that their enterprise was not one of conquest or invasion. You may allege that it had connection with the government from the fact that the President identified himself with it by furnishing arms to those connected with the project. This may have induced you to characterize the expedi~ tion as you have in tirade against Texas. Whatever part the President bore in this transaction was contrary to law and in violation of his duty. A large portion of the people of Texas were not apprised of the existence of such an enterprise. You doubtless would insist that it had the means of offense against Mexico. So far as their preparations could give character to the undertaking by carrying with them artillery and other munitions of war, it can be accounted for most easily. They had to pass through a wilderness six hundred miles from the frontier of Texas before they could reach Santa Fe. It was reasonable to suppose they would encounter many hostile tribes of Indians; and it was proper and necessary that they should be in a situation to repel any attack made upon them; and, as their objects were pacific, they were justified in resisting aggression from any quar- ter. The instructions given to them did not contemplate hostili- ties, but that the enterprise should terminate without bloodshed or violence. Scientific men from Europe and the United States accompanied them, not for warlike purposes, but for the purpose of adding rich stores to the treasury of science. It had likewise been communicated to the people of Texas that all the inhabitants east of the Rio Grande were anxious to enjoy the benefits of our institutions. You cannot allege that you were not willing to admit the justice of our claim to the Rio Grande, or that you were not anxious to facilitate the object. Your communication tg me on that subject is conclusive; Texians were apprised of it from your repeated declarations to that effect while in this coun- try and on your way to Washington City. At the time the expedi~ tion started no hostilities were carried on between this country
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