WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
387
enforced the law requiring a discriminating duty upon articles imported from countries not in treaty with us. It will not be the law or peovle of Texas, I apprehend, that will be blamed, but the Executive for having the audcicity to enforce the law against THEM. But so long as Texas does exist, I am determined, that if I should· not be so fortunate as to conciliate good opinion, I will at least evince to the world that, so far as any merit may attach to the execution of her laws, so far as I have the power, I shall be entitled to it. Texas once evinced a willingness, amounting to unexampled unanimity, to become annexed to the United States. We sought the boon with humble supplications. In this posture we remained in the outer porch of their Capital for many months. Our solici- tations were heard with apathy. Our urgency was responded to with politic indifference. Apprised of this, I directed our :Min- ister to withdraw the proposition. This I did from a sense of national dignity. Since that time Texas has not renewed the proposition; and the United States now, in order to get it into an attitude before them that would be creditable to them, desire, no doubt, that Texas should again come forward soliciting the boon. They have not as yet received such indications as they desire. · If it were the case, it would place the subject before the political parties oft.he U. States, in a position different from that in which it now rests. In that event there would be but one question to ask: Shall the Annexation of T·exas to the U. States take place? As it is, there are two: First, Is Texas w-illing to be annexed? Second, in that case, shall it be annexed? T.his renders the matter more complicated and produces feelings of excitement and irriti- bility [sic] that induce the leading journals of certain sections of that Country to traduce and vilify the authorities of Texas in a very unbecoming manner. This, I presume, is done by way of whipping prominent men into the list of petitioners. Again, if war between the U. States and England should take place, and the independence of Texas not be recognized by Mexico, or not annexed to the U. States, under the excitement and com- motion which would exist in a state of war, the contiguity of a situation united with kindred inhabitants, would, without form of law, amalgamate us with the U. States. If however, the inde- pendence of Texas should be recognized through the medium of English influence, such a result could never tnke place. If the U. States upon the Gulf can maintain a parallel influence to that which they may establish on the Pacific, Texas will become a
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