522
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
the opponents of our interests would allege there was no stability in our purposes, and therefore unsafe in other nations to culti- vate very intimate relations with us, or even to maintain those which now so fortunately exist. They might apprehend that after the lapse of a few more years, Texas having acquired increased importance from their friendly aid and good offices, would be induced again by the agitation of the same question in the United States to apply for admission into the Union, and that by possi- .bility it might be effected. Hence the utmost caution and secrecy on our part as to the true motives of our policy should be carefully observed. Were the interest now manifested, both in the United States and Texas, in relation to annexation, to pass off without pro, ducing any material change in our national attitude, another object of but secondary importance might be achieved. It appears to the Executive, that the relations which the United States bears to this country, and its important position in the Gulf, would not disincline them to a treaty of alliance with us, defensive, if not also offensive. If nothing else were effected than a treaty for defense, it would secure to Texas a position that would forever bid defiance to our Mexican enemy. It would be as important to us in fact, as the recognition of our independence by Mexico. These measures seem to the judgment of the Executive to be vitally connected with the glory, the well-being and stability of the nation, and had he under this conviction not communicated the same to Congress, he should have felt himself delinquent in the discharge of an important duty. If they are favorably received by the honorable Congress, and their effectuation desired, it may be necessary for this purpose, if circumstances daily arising should justify the course, to dispatch an additional agent to the Government of the United States, to cooperate with our agent now there; and in that event an appropriation of five thousand dollars would be requisite to meet the necessary expenses. This recommendation does not arise from any distrust of the ability and capacity of Mr. Van Zandt, our present Charge d'Affaires. His industry, zeal, and capacity are evinced by his correspondence with this Government; but the additional weight a coadjutor would give to our character at that court, and the multiplication of facilities for success by the aid which they could mutually render each other, from increased opportunities for intelligence,
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