464
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
declaring that upon the adoption of a similar resolution by this government, commercial relations shall at once be established between both upon a reciprocal footing. This subject will claim the early attention of the Honorable Congress. Our minister at Paris has also been furnished with proper powers to open relations with the government of Spain: provided he shall be able to give it, in addition to the many other onerous and important duties which now devolve upon his attention. The importance of a commercial treaty with Spain from our contiguity to the rich and prolific island of Cuba, which would afford a market for many of our redundant products, would seem to demand early exertions to open this intercourse. And if the means of the nation will justify it, the Executive has no hesitation in recommending that suitable provision be made for a diplomatic agent at that court. From the commencement of our national existence, until within the last spring and summer, no circumstance of an unpleasant character had occurred between the United States and Texas. It is true that the treaty of amity, navigation and commerce, con- cluded at Washington in July, 1842, for causes unknown to the Executive, was not ratified by the Government of the former; but it is possible that the action necessary for its ratification will yet be taken. It may however admit of a doubt whether the rejection of that treaty may not prove signally advantageous in the end to our own citizens; for it will be recollected that by a comparatively small expenditure, the course of trade may be turned from the Red River into our own ports and commercial towns through the medium of the turnpike or Railroad and the channels of our own rivers. Indeed, it is natural always to pre- fer the least obstructed and most advantageous way to market; and the time may not be far distant, when a rich commerce which has hitherto found its way to the ocean through the rivers and ports of other countries, will be poured into our own and materially assist in building up and supporting our institutions. It is with sincere regret that I feel called upon to lay before the Honorable Congress the fact of an infraction of our revenue laws by citizens of the United States attended with circumstances of a very unpleasant character. It appears that a quantity of goods ascending Red River were landed within our territory and there stored, without any communication with and without the knowledge of any of our revenue officers; and when discovered and legally seized by the collector of customs were reclaimed by
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