297
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
To ANSON JONES
Houston, 14th April, 1844. My Dear Jones,- I have read all the despatches you will receive by this mail. I have answered our agents at Washington City. I will send by the first opportunity, a copy of my letter for your information. My instructions are to this effect: "If annexation is not effected at the present session of Congress, or if a treaty should fail, and the action of Congress, be ineffectual, and they refuse to form an alliance with us, to call upon the English and French ministers, and ascertain the prospect of those Governments giving us a guarantee against further molestation from Mexico, and an indefinite truce." We cannot be trifled with in the present crisis of our affairs. I saw Capt. Elliot,2 and so far arranged matters that I hope we shall suffer no serious detriment, at the same time I did not commit myself or nation.... It is rumored here that the Gov- ernment of the United States have disavowed Gen. Murphy's 3 pledges. This is hardly the case. If so, it is very queer, and by their not giving instant notice to us, they have incurred the heaviest shame, and trust, if they have in this way attempted to deceive us, that Henderson and Van Zandt 4 will make them sensible of the light in which such conduct should be regarded by this Government, and all others who may learn the fact. Thine truly, Sam Houston. Dr. Anson·Jones. 1 Anson Jones, Memoranda and Offieial Correspondence of the Republic "/ Texas, 340. ~captain Charles Elliot, charge d'affafres from Great Britain to the Republic of Texas. See Garrison (ed.), Diplo-matic Correspondence of the ReP'!tblic of Texa43, II, 31, 942, et passim, 3 General William S. Murphy, the charge d'affa.ires from the United States to the Republic of Texas (Ibid., II, 164 to 971 passim). 'Isaac Van Zandt was charge d'affaires for the Republic of Texas at \Vashington in 1844 when Houston appointed J. Pinckney Henderson to go to Washington and work with him in negotiating a treaty for the annexation of Texas. See Ibid., II, 252, 259, 262-276.
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