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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1846
459
action upon an application which Texas had made to them for admission soon after the declaration of her independence. This presented a fair opportunity for the United States to have ex- tended her dominion by acquisition, had her policy been that of national aggrandisement and dominion. On the contrary, Texas was permitted to remain under embarrassed circumstances for eight years before action was taken upon her application, and ten ere annexation was consummated. Permit me, Mr. President, in this connexion, to read an extract from a late number of the London Sun, a journal, I believe of much respectability; and, though not strictly the official organ, it may be justly regarded as a pretty fair index to ministerial and popular sentiment in England. In this way, I imagine, we may be enabled to obtain a sig- nificant and instructive view of the feelings entertained towards popular governments on that side of the water, if nothing more. The editorial to which I allude, bearing date March the 4th, last, reads thus: "From the depression of the funds, caused by the intelligence and the surprise with which it was received by certain parties in the city, one would imagine that the rejection, by the Presi- dent of the United States, of the only mode left open to settle the Oregon question, was wholly unexpected, and that the most sanguine hopes were entertained that his excellency would recede from his haughty claims in his message to Congress. But these persons could have no grounds for any such supposition. The announcement in that document that America claimed the whole of the territory, was evidently made not without due considera- tion, and with good party reasons for maintaining the point; and whatever has occurred since in CongTess, so far from weakening his authority in that respect, or providing some amicable means of settlement, has all been in the contrary direction. Violent war speeches have been made by Cass,3 and others, in the Senate, usually calm, disposed to peace, and inclined to check rather than encourage popular excitement; and even the most moderate speak- ers in that assembly ventured to adduce no arguments in opposi- tion to Mr. Polk's views, but seemed rather to content themselves with expressing a wish to preserve peace, and not extend the frontier till the States had acquired more strength. There was no real objection to the principle. The time for action was the only question." From this we should infer, Mr. President, that England imagines that her rights have not received the full atkocacy in
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