WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
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declare and maintain a protectorate over the so-called Republic of Mexico, in such form, and to such an extent, as shall be necessary to secure to this Union good neighborhood, and to the people of said country the benefits of orderly and well-regulated republican government. 1 Cong1·essional Globe, 1st Sess., 35th Cong., 1857-1858, Part 2, pp. 1679- 1682. When Houston had finished his speech, Mr. Seward, of New York, moved that the 1·esolution should be printed and lie on the table; his motion was agreed to. If one will follow through the proceedings of the Senate as printed in The Globe, he will find that Houston made strenuous efforts to have this resolution taken up again, efforts, however, that were always defeated. See Congressional Globe, 1858, pp. 1771, 1891, 1892, 2529, 2630. The initial resolution proposing a protectorate over Mexico and the Central American States was made on February 16, 1858. It is printed in Volume VI, pp. 508-512 of The Writings. REMARKS CONCERNING DISORDER IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE 1 April 22, 1858. Mr. Houston. I have sat here, Mr. President, for nearly twelve years, ap.d I must confess that I have never met in this Chamber a single day that I have not been intensely mortified that I was a member of this body in some respects. I well remember that there was a time when·this body was the most decorous, dignified, and respectable body that my eyes ever looked upon. The material here is good enough, but there is a total disregard of everything like order and respect to fellow-members when they are address- ing the body. It is not alone that disorder exists in the galleries, but it exists on the floor of the Senate. The rules of the body are such as to enable the ofli'cers of it to enforce authority, and to maintain order and profound silence. [Remarks from others.]
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1 Cong1·essional Globe, 1857-1858, Part 2, pp. 1738, 1739.
To MRs. HousToN 1
Washington, 22nd Apr. 1858. My Love, I am sorry to say that the mail has disappointed me, in not bringing me letters. I have received none of later date than 3rd Inst. I learn that the waters in Texas have been very high and, of course, the mails will be delayed. This, I hope, is the only cause of my not getting letters !
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