WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1846
454
Although the State from which I come was not at that time an integral part of the Union, nevertheless, there was no subject of importance in the United States, of political agitation and excitement, which did not command attention, and some degree of feeling, in our country. We were observant of all that passed here. I again repeat, that the Executive was bound to bring this subject before Congress, as he has done. Could he have acted otherwise, and yet taken his measures in accordance with the principles upon which he was elected? Had the President claimed the country only as far as forty-nine, do you not believe that many who now denounce his extended assumption of our claim to the whole territory, , 1 vould have been found ready to denounce him for compromising the honor and interest of the country, and as guilty of a shameless abandonment of American rights? Had he renewed the proposition made by Mr. Gallatin,2 what would have been the consequence? Would it not now be said here is collusion? The joint navigation of the Columbia river will at once destroy all harmony between the two countries. His ob- ject must be to throw in contact men of different political inter- ests-the subjects of governments of opposite character. \Var, in that case, would have been inevitable; and the policy would, indeed, have been energetically denounced. Circumstances pre- cluded the President from taking such a course. That functionary assumed a proposition that all Oregon belonged to us; and whether it is correct or erroneous I will not now undertake to determine; for it is not, in my apprehension, a question necessarily con- nected with the investigation of the subject now before the Senate, which as I understand it, is the propriety or impropriety, the necessity or want of necessity, of giving the proposed notice. If England designs to negotiate, the notice will not exclude her from that privilege. The way to negotiation is as open to her as it ever was. But what indication has she given that she is ready to negotiate? England has proposed arbitration-she has not talked of negotiation; and are we [to] wait for the nods and becks of England to determine our own policy or property, or to what point our privileges extend? If we wait for the conven- ience of England-if we wait for intimations from her or her ministry to regulate our policy, we may wait an indefinite period. I do not conceive it to be the duty of the representatives of the American people, or the head of this government, to await the intimations of what England may or may not do. We have to inquire of ourselves, is the adoption of this measure necessary
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