WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
309
[Endorsement] Treaty of Annexation. I cannot see that Mr. Calhoun has "jockeyed" in the least. A. J.] 'Anson Jones, Memoranda and Official Corresvondence, Republic of Texas, 347. =The treaty for the annexation of Texas was completed and signed, April 12, 1844, by J. Pinckney Henderson and Isaac Van Zandt, com- missioners, on the part of Texas, and by John C. Calhoun on the part of the United States. For a detailed account of the negotiations for this treaty, see Justin Smith, The Annexation of Texas, especially pp. 147-179.
To ISAAC VAN ZANDT AND JAMES P. HENDERSON 1
Houston, 29th April 1844. Gentlemen: Last night I received the Treaty by Express and the Dispatches accompanying it. They were all perused with intense solicitude. I read the note of Mr. Van Zandt to Mr. Upshur dated January last, and the reply of Mr. Calhoun to that note. It does not embrace the guarantee as fully as was con- templated. If annexation should fail for a want of action on the part of the U. S. we are without any security against the consequences which may result to Texas, in consequence of open- ing negotiations upon the subject of annexation. Their obliga- tions continue during the pendency of the negotiations. If negotiation fails, our file is uncovered, the enemy may charge through our ranks and we have no reserve to march up to our rescue. It seems to me that after the arrival of Gen. Henderson, a direct application should have been made to the Govt. of the U. S. in accordance with the agreement between the Secretary of State and Genl. Murphy, their fully accredited agent. How- ever, this has not been done. 'Tis well enough, we cannot go back and therefore we must march forward with decisive steps. The Treaty is well in this respect, that Texas is to become a territory of the U. S. if annexed. It cannot be a~certained that we have the ratio of population required to entitle us to be represented in the Congress of the U. S. as a State. We have no constitution to present to the Govt. of the U. S. in conformity with the federal Constitution. And I would be extremely sorry if we have to become a part of the U. S. that the sacred principles of that instrument should ever be perverted to expecliency, for I maintain that great principles are always in danger of subversion from that licentious and profligate political
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