WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
322
Texas enjoying as she does, a situation on the Gulf, and a nutral attitude, would derive the greatest possible benefits. Calamity to other nations would be wealth, and power to T'exas. The encouragement given to us, by the demand for our Staples, would increase our individual, as well as our national wealth. The fleets of beligerants, would be supplied with meats from our natural pastures, and the sale of our superabundant herds, would, when added to the sale of our other commodities, give us more wealth than any other nation in comparison to our population. Apart from this if we ·should not be annexed, all the European nations will introduce with alacrity, vast numbers of emigrants, because, it will enable them to extend their commerce. Those who migrate from the different nations to Texas will retain predilec- tions for many years in favor of their partialities, which nativity, carries with it in after life. That France, as well as England will pour in to our country vast numbers of industrious citizens, there can be no doubt.-Belgium, Holland, other countries will not be remiss in their duty to ulterior consequences. All these countries have an excess of population, and the common policy and economy of nations is such that they will have a care to the location of those who, have their native countries. Never to my apprehension have all nations evinced the same disposition to commerce, as that which is now exercised, and intertained. Hence no time has ever been so propitious for the up building of a nation possessive of any advantage, as that whiGh Texas at this moment enjoys, in the event that the measure of annexation should fail. It's failure can only result from selfishness on the part of the Govt. or Congress of the United States. If faction or a regard to present, party advantages should defeat the measure, you may depend upon one thing, and that is that the Glory of the United States, has already culminated. A rival power will soon·be built up, and the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic, will be component parts of Texas, in thirty years from this date. The Oregon region in Geographical affinity will attach to Texas. By this coalition or Union, the barrier of the Rocky mountains will be dispensed with, or obviated. England and France in anticipation of such, an event would not be so tenacious on the subject of Oregon as if the U States were to be the sole possessors of it. When such an event would take place, or in anticipation of such a result, all the powers, which either envy or fear the U States, would use all reasonable exertions to build us up, as the only rival power which can ever exist on this. continent, to that of the U States. Considering
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