WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,6
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in time of peace that formidable character which such a nation as Great Britan at all times presents. To place this country in a state of defence would require on land numerous fortifications and the construction of a great naval armament, which can only be accomplished by an expendi- ture of many millions. In time of peace this is impossible. The American people have a horror of taxation. No public man who would vote for unusual taxation in time of peace could maintain his position before the people, no matter what the emergency might be, short of actual war. Therefore you cannot induce our population to submit to taxation for defence in time of actual peace. This being necessarily our situation, honorable gentlemen seem to consider it an argument in favor of a compromise on our part. If we once admit this principle, there will be no end to the con- cessions demanded of us. Admit it, and we will speedily be ruined by concesson; for the principle, thus grafted on our policy, would not fail to be taken advantage of by every government with which, in future, we may have a controversy on any subject. Unprepared as our situation may .be for war, we cannot, con- sistently with national dignity and honor, renew a proposition to negotiate. Suppose we were to do so in view of our present circumstances, and England were to reject it-for we have no reason to believe that she would accede to it-would it not justly degrade us in our own estimation, and incur for us the contempt of other nations? England can consistently take that step with- out compromising her national character; and this notice will interpose no barrier. If England and the United States go to war, it will not grow out of the resolution before the Senate, but it will be contingent upon the inclination and disposition of England apart from this question. It is by no means likely that she will involve herself in war for a country described by honorable senators on this floor as barren and useless-a desert waste. England is too politic to hazard war for such paltry considerations. She wars for empires; the gold and dominion of the Indies are the stakes for which she now plays. It is not the policy of this country to seek war. Its policy has been peaceful, and it should so continue. The annexation of Texas to the United States-an event of too recent occurrence to require explanation-is a practical commentary upon the policy of this government. Eight years after Texas had become an independent nation, the United States thought proper to take
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