WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 184,3
386
desirable to that country. All movements on the part of the U. States would seem to indicate that they have an eye to a rupture at some period not remote. But I need not suggest this to a gentleman of your observation. The genius as well as the excit- ability of that people, united to a bold and generous daring, impel them to war. Their love of Dominion, and the extension of their territorial limits, also, is equal to that of Rome in the last ages of the Commonwealth and the first of the Caesars. The Continent of North America is regarded by the people of the U. States as their birth-right to be secured by policy, if they can, by force if they must. Heretofore Texas has been looked upon as an appendage to the U. States. They cannot realize that we now form two nations. Therefore, every act done in reference to us and by any power of which they are jealous, or for which they do not cherish kind national feelings, is regarded as an un- authorized interference and necessarily provokes their denuncia- tion. This is the case at present in relation to England. British influence and every ridiculous humbug which their crazed imagin- ations can start, are conjured up and marshalled in fearful array for the purpose of alarming T'exas, exciting disorder, producing disrespect towards England, and compelling us to look to the U. States as our only hope of political salvation. They are willing to see Texas tantalized by every annoyance until, in a fit of dis- pair, she is compelled to identify herself with them, and by some act of good fortune become incorporated with them-though they cannot precisely point out the means. In support of this opinion, the rejection of the late treaty with us, by the U. States Senate, to my mind, was not at all an equivo- cal expression of the notions of that Country in relation to Texas. It was assigned as a reason, though not in debate, that the Con- dition of Texas was such as to render them reluctant to form closer connexions with us·than those already established by their recognition of our independence, and such p1·ovisions as they could make in ou1· favor BY LAW. Such reasons, I presume, have never been uttered concerning any other nation, since the establishment of Hayti. The humility of our condition, however, compels us to pocket this; as the U. States regard us, from their expressions, nothing more than a pocket attached to their outer robe. I shall look with amusing interest to the journals of the U. States for a formal denunciation of the Executive for having
Powered by FlippingBook