289
WRITINGS OF SAlH HOUSTON, 1844
in conversations, are very proper and the meaning conveyed to you was no more than what was intended; but it often happens that intentions are expressed, the effectuation of which is de- pendent upon a combination of circumstances. When we had our conversations at Galveston, hopes were en- tertained of a satisfactory adjustment of the armistice and the release of the Mier prisoners. The United States had given no satisfactory indications on the subject of annexation, and I then believed that the subject of the armistice would be arranged with- out difficulty; nor could I anticipate any definite action by the United States on the subject of annexation. I had confidence that Her Majesty's Government was pursuing a course entirely friendly towards Texas, and that so far as it could consistently with its relations to Mexico, it would not fail to consummate that policy. At the meeting of the last Congress, in my annual mes- sage, I did not withhold my expression of confidence in the intention and action of Her Majesty's Government towards Texas. Previous, however, to that time, intelligence had reached here of the misunderstanding between Her Majesty's Govern- ment and the Mexican authorities, which, to some extent, dis- turbed our hopes on the subject of its mediation and we antici- pated an interruption in the conduct of our affairs through its friendly offices. However, our commissioners met, and though ample time was afforded for the release of our prisoners, diffi- culties were started on the part of the Mexican Government, by which it manifested a determination not to comply with the con- ditions of previous assurances. This in connection with the difficulties that were presented to a settled armistice, had con-· siderable influence upon the people of Texas. In the meantime, Mr. T'yler's message arrived, and letters from the United States to citizens in this country, as well as to members of Congress, had a powerful [effect] in producing a sensation here as well as influencing the action of this government. Having mainly relied upon the mediation of England to effect a pacific termination to our difficulties with Mexico, the circum- stance of breaking off their friendly relations seemed to bear much weight ~1pon the concerns of Texas, the detention of our prisoners and difficulties about the adjustment of the armistice increased our distrust in the Mexican character and rendered the incertitude of our situation more unpleasant than it had been for some time previously. These things were all pressed upon the government during the session of Congress and the message
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