WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
318
that point. Thus you see our people must be doing some little mischief. We must always enjoy some agreeable excitement, or things will not go very well. You will find that the Sec'y of State has addressed a dispatch to the Legation at Washington, touching the subject of the Armistice, which I took the liberty of opening, and find with pleasure that it contains the intelligence that was proper for you to have at this time. I did not deem it necessary to take any action upon the agreements signed by our Corns. further than to reject it silently. I suppose that Santa Anna would calculate, as a matter of course, that some action would take place under it, and consequently, that we would gain time by silence. You will perceive from the instructions given to our Corns. that I had never changed my principles or opinions in relation to Texas, since 1836. I then made the first suggestion in relation to its boundary as an Independency, that ever had been made, and for your information I transmit to you a paper, containing a letter• of mine on the subject to Genl. Rusk, then Sec'y of War, after the Battle of San Jacinto, which if you should think proper, as it might have some influence in settling the public mind in relation to some points embraced in it, you can have republished. Had the advice which it contains been carried out, another blow would never have been struck, or a gun fired by the enemy in Texas. I take the liberty of enclosing to you a copy of a letter ad- dressed to Genl. Murphy some days since:-.. It was private, and when I commenced it, I had no expectation of making more than an ordinary ·friendly note. The boat leaving before I was aware of it, induced me to extend it to the capacity of a letter of some length; and I thought it probable that he might upon reflection, forward it to his Govt. It contains some speculations which might have more or less influence on the subject of annexation. The Statesmen of the United States doubtless have viewed the subject in all its bearings, and will not derive any light from suggestions of mine. I desire to keep you advised of everything, no matter how unimportant it may seem, generally. If further negotiations have to take place with the Govt. of the U.S., from the cramped condition of our means, it will be proper to transfer them to Texas. The reason ·will be manifest in our want of funds to support our agents abroad. Since I have had time to reflect upon the provisions of the Treaty, I begin to entertain some apprehension that our Senate
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