209
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
in the Union, and advise the Governor of this State that measures have been taken for the appointment of Delegates to meet those of Texas; and that the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars, or so much thereof as is necessary, be, and the same is hereby appro- priated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro- priated, to pay the mileage and per diem of such Delegates, which shall be paid at the rate paid to members of the United States Congress, according to the law in force in the year 1854. SEC. 2. That, should an exigency arise, in the opinion of the Governor, in which it is necessary for the State of Texas to act alone, or by a Convention representing the sovereignty of the State, he is hereby requested to call a Special Session of the Legis- lature to provide for such State Convention. SEC. 3. That the Governor is requested to transmit copies of these resolutions to the Executives of each of the slaveholding States, and to our members of Congress. Approved, February 16, 1858. Here, then, Fellow Citizens, is the mode pointed out by which the voice of Texas may be heard in Council with the other Southern States, when they may deem a Convention necessary. That such a Convention will be called and that the interests of all the Southern States, about to be jeopardized by hasty action, demand that one should be held, I feel well satisfied. I believe that few citizens of Texas desire to take any action at this time, unless in response to the action of other Southern States. No danger threatens Texas which does not threaten them; and therefore, no necessity can exist for the separate action of Texas at this time. From a number of county proceedings of meetings that have reached me, calling for some action on the part of Texas at this time, and from 14 counties, petitions have been received, calling for a special Session of the Legislature. The proceedings in several counties point to a Session of the Legislature to provide for Texas' being represented in a Convention of the Southern States. Those from Brazoria County are decided in this particu- lar. I believe that a large majority of those desiring action on the part of Texas, look toward the contingency provided for in the Joint Resolution of the 7th Legislature. Having already acted under this, I can see no reason for involving the State in an expense of a hundred thousand dollars, incident to a Session of the Legislature. The Joint Resolution provides for the election of seven Delegates. This will submit the question to a vote of the people, and Delegates may be elected expressing their sentiments.
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