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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
the medium of the newspapers. As no continuance of the corre- spondence seems to have been suggested by the tenor of these let- ters, the Executive did not, for various reasons, open one with the authorities of that country; particularly so as he did not deem it proper to fraternize with them, although assured that our vessels would always meet in the ports of Yucatan the most friendly reception. At the time that negotiations were first opened by this govern- ment with Yucatan, the present Executive, then a private citizen, could not but hope that any propositions from them in their then attitude would not be entertained by this Government. They were an integral part of the Mexican Republic, with which we were at war. They had not separated thc~mselves or assumed independency from Mexico. Therefore they were our enemies. To enter into arrangements with them, could not in my opinion change that character or be productive of any good; but might result in serious injury to Texas. The then Executive had a secret agent at Mexico, for the purpose of negotiating peace between Texas and that Government, and no less than two ministers plenipotentiary and envoys extraordinary had been despatched with a view, ostensibly, to negotiate amicable relations; and pro- fessions were made of a disposition on the part of the Government of Texas to promote that object. In the face of these circumstances, for Texas to render aid and support to a rebellious portion of Mexico, was well calculated to produce feelings of the most hostile character on the part of the government of that country towards Texas. It was setting at naught every profession which had been made, and pretermit- ting every hope which might have been entertained of adjusting our affairs with Mexico. Our connexion with Yucatan stands without an example on record. She had not declared her inde- pendence-she was a portion of the Mexican Republic, and held herself as such, dependent upon the contingencies of treaties. But had she declared her independence, it would have been unwise, impertinent and indelicate of Texas to have thrust herself forward and been the first to recognize the independence of a new community, in anticipation of the views and dispositions of the most powerful and best established governments in Christen- dom. The Executive of Texas has not, nor had he ever, any right under the constitution to form treaties of alliance with any other government, or to attempt to carry them into execution, without
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