WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
539
in session, whether reasonable hopes can be entertained of the success of such a measure. Before this can reach you, if it is the intention of the United States Congress to take up the subject at all, it will have received an impulse and direction so far as to enable you to judge correctly of the course necessary to be pur- sued fo1· its effectuation. If there is no probability of its success, or the political parties in that country should be disposed to pass it by at this time (retaining it as a matter for future considera- tion) you will sound them and, if possible, bring about a treaty of alliance of}'ensive and defensive towards Mexico. If this should not be effected, I cannot see, from the message of the President of the United States, what impediment there could be, or what reason could be urged against the conclusion of a defensive treaty. If, however, this shall not be done, you will, in this way, at least have their reasons for declining to do so; and thus enable us to determine how far we shall be justified in relying upon that Government for friendly offices in the event of necessity. Here- tofore no proposition of this kind has been submitted to any other government; but should the United States decline to embrace it, (and that with a reasonable degree of cheerfulness,) it could not be supposed that Texas would be remiss in preparing herself for any emergency which might arise from ou1· pending negotiations being broken oO' with Mexico. They must be satisfied that all the noise about British influence has had no foundation in truth- at the same time they must be convinced that England ha.s ren- dered important service to Texas by ·her mediatorial influence with Mexico. If the United States really intend to deprive England of all connections on this continent, a treaty of alliance offensive and defensive formed with this country against Mexico, would enable that Government to retain an influence in the affairs of Texas which could be done by no other circumstance. In November, 1842, when Texas protested to the three great powers against the course pursued by Mexico in her war with this country, it was understood the three powers were to act in harmony, so far as any mediation was to be interposed. From some circumstance England appears to have been more efficient and active in her efforts. The United States, from their continguity in situation, had greater facilities than England at their command; and had they been as forward in their efforts at mediation as England, ft would have been more grateful to the citizens of Texas. A moment's reflection will present many reasons why it should have
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