WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
302
from him as well as the commissioners, I learned the main reason for the proposals to Texas was the present attitude of our affairs touching annexation. All this was caused by the action of our Congress, for though it was a cause of dissatisfaction to Mexico with the United States, yet Texas was not implicated, nor would she have been so if our wise men had only deferred to the power which by the Constitution was vested in the President. The evil is upon us now, and we must prepare ourselves for the future. Should annexation fail altogether for the present, and an alliance, at least defensive, not be entered into promptly with the U [nited] States, I have advised our agents at Washington what course to. pursue. It is now or never with the U [nited] States, for I can assure them that if Texas is not fully met, it places annexation forever out of the question. For one, if we are rejected, in the present attitude of our affairs, I never will consent to annexation at any future day, provided that England and France will step forward and secure us from further molestation, and an indefinite truce with Mexico. I hope the pledges antecedent to the com- mencement of negotiations were readily conceded by that Gov- ernment, as indicated by General Murphy. The report here is that Mr. Nelson 3 wrote him a disavowal of his actions. I hope that this has not been the case, for if it had been, it was proper for the Government of the United States immediately to have advised this government of the fact. It was upon the pledges of Mr. Upshur's letter and those of General Murphy that a minister was despatched to negotiate at all upon the subject. I would regret most seriously if such a course has been pursued by the Government of the U [nited] States. I will not allow myself to believe such a charge against the Head of that Govern- ment. Such an act done without notification to this Government, would be so flagrant an act of insincerity as would at once destroy all confidence with Texas in the national faith of the U [nited] States and should induce the direct recall of our diplomatic agents. With nations of equal rank, it would be cause of war. As it is rumor, and I hope without foundation, I could take no official action on the subject, and merely render these hints to you, as they are more than I have said to the diplomatic agents at Washington City. There is less union in Texas on the subject of annexation than when you left us; and I am satisfied if England and France would engage to secure us peace and independence, that the subject of annexation would lose many of its charms. And at any time,
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