451
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1846
were in my power, my clear sir, yoi1, should not have the vciyment of yowr claini cleferrecl an hour. I can sympathize with you, but that affords no relief to those who need money. Sam Houston. [Addressed] : General Leslie Combs, Lexington, Kentuckr. 'The Texas Re1mbliccm (Marshall), February 11, 1854. For a good brief biography of General Combs, see Dictionary of American Biogmphy, IV, 328; also, Volume II, 505. SPEECH ON THE OREGON QUESTION IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, APRIL 15, 1846 1 Mr. Houston said: Mr. President: I am not insensible to the peculiarity of the position in which I now find myself placed. To any one, and more especially to one unaccustomed to partici- pate in its debates, the occasion of addressing a body so influential and intelligent as the Senate of the United States, must neces- sarily be attended with much embarrassment. I am, however, now about to be called on to act, as a member of this body, on a subject of high importance, and it therefore becomes my duty, as one of the representatives of a State which has recently become an integral part of the great confederacy of this Union, to present my reasons, so far as I may be enabled, for the vote which I shall give on this occasion. The proposition to abrogate a treaty which has existed for years with England is in accordance with the undeniable right of this government. I believe both those in favor of the resolu- tion and opposed to it, have acquiesced in that right. The Ex- ecutive has thought proper, in his annual message to the Congress of the Union, to recommend the abrogation of the treaty by giving the twelve months' notice, necessary under its provisions. The question, then, arises-Is it politic, and is it wise, to exercise this right? Do the exigencies of the country 1·equire its exercise? I think it discreet and necessary that such a course should be adopted and carried out, for the reason that I can preceive no rational ground for hope, that by delaying the measure, its necessity will be obviated, or the rights of the country vindicated. )J" or can I perceive the possibility of any detriment to the interests of the country by giving the notice as recommended by the Executive.
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