417
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1845
his views of the importance of the measure to the U. States, that he has very naturally not been fully able to re [gard] Texas as forming a separate community, and with interests not entirely identical with those of that Government. Nevertheless, I know and feel that Genl. Jackson believes that Texas annexed on any terms, will be equally benefitted with the U. States, and will thereby perpetuate free institutions and extend the sphere of Representative Government. Annexation would certainly be beneficial to the U. States. On the part of Texas, it is an experiment, which I pray God (if it takes place) may result in enduring happiness and prosperity to a united community. Sam Houston. Maj. A. J. Donelson, &c &c &c. 'M-ille1· Pavers, Texas State Library; Texas Banne1·, May 28, 1849; Niles' Registe1·, LXXV. "On January 8, 1845, the House of Representatives of the United Sitates Congress, resolved itself into Committee of the Whole to discuss the subject of the Annexation of Texas. All the following week the question was debated, and on Monday, January 13, the question was again brought before the House. After long and sometimes bitter debate of the subject, Senator Milton Brown, of Tennessee, in consultation with Alexander A. Stephens (see Americcm Histor-ical Review, VIII, 93), offered on January 16, 184?, the following joint resolutions, declaring the terms on which Congress would admit Texas to the Union as a state: "Resolved by the Senate and House of Revresentatives of the United States of A 1ne1·icc, in, Cong1·ess assembled, That Congress doth consent that the territory properly included within and rightfully belonging to the Republic of Texas may be erected into a new State to be called the St<tte of Texas, with a republican form of government to . be adopted by the people of the said republic by deputies in convention assembled, with the consent of the existing government, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the states of this Union. "2. Ancl be it fu,-the1· 1·esolved, that the foregoing consent of Congress i;; given upon the following conditions, and with the following guaranties, to wit: " ( 1) The said State is to be formed subject to the adjustment by this government of all questions of boundary that may arise with other govern- ments; and the constitution thereof, with proper evidence of its adoption by the people of the said republic of Texas, shall be tr;rnsmitted to the President of the United States, to be laid before Congress for its final action. on or before the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty-six. "(2) Said State when admitted into the Union, after ceding to the United States all mines, minerals, salt lakes and springs, and also all public edifices, fortifications, barracks, ports and harbors, navy and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms, armaments and all other prope1·ty and means pertaining to public defence belonging to said Republic of Texas;
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