WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
541
meet. Commend me kindly to Mr. Raymond, 3 and request that he will write frequently and give us the news. Mrs. H. unites with me in salutations of respect to your lady and yourself. Her health has been very imperfect during the fall and winter. February 15, 1844. You will, my dear Sir, perceive from the dates that the com- pilation of this letter has been postponed, owing to the great press of business, which did not terminate with the rise of Con- gress. The reception of letters from friends in the United States, placed me in expectation of some very important communications from that Government, which I have since received. Gen. Murphy, the Charge d'Affaires of the United States arrived here some three days since, having received despatches from his government requiring immediate action. T'lrnt action has been taken; and General J. P. Henderson has been invested with proper powers, in connection with yourself, to conclude foe subject of annexation so far as it can be consummated by the Government of the United States and our ministers. My Private Secretary and confidential friend, W. D. Miller, Esq., has been appointed by me, in the secret execution of this matter, a Secre- tary of the special legation, and will act in connection with Mr. Raymond already there. It would be useless for me to attempt to portray to you, the magnitude of the consequences which are to grow out of these transactions. Millions will realize their benefits; but it is not within the compass of mortal expression to estimate the ad- vantages to mankind. The measures of this Government have not been devised without due consideration of the subject as far as Texas may be affected by it; and no matter how great the ulti- mate advantages to the two countries may have been considered, in the event of annexation, it was the manifest duty of this Gov- ernment to use such precaution as would secure it against any accidental catastrophe. It is now in possession of such assurance from the Government of the United States, as will authorize the hazard of the die. Our situation was one which would not, without assurance of security from the United States, authorize us to hazard the consequences which might possibly result from rejection, regarding our present and future safety against Mexico.
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