WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 18Ll6
468
Hence a change of policy had become necessary, and such a change as would induce the belief that Texas was about to form new relations with some other country. It was from these cir- cumstances that the charge of "coquetry" arose; and if the term was employed, it was in reference to the United States, but not to England. It was not applicable to the relations of Texas and England, and would apply to our relations with the United States. It had become necessary to operate upon the apprehensions and jealousies of the United States; to drive them to exertion; and no other course was as well calculated to attain that object as to speak of England in terms of commendation. The then existing administration of Texas had commenced under the most unfavorable auspices, and found the country in a most lamentable condition. The institutions of the country were in chaos-without means, without defence; hundreds of our citizens prisoners in the dungeons of Mexico; confidence between man and man destroyed; the government not respected; no sympathies from abroad; an Indian war raging on our borders; Mexico ready to invade us from the Rio Grande; the seaboard undefended; the navy in foreign service; several of our counties in civil war, and open resistance to the laws; and without five hundred pounds of pow[d] er and lead to defend our soil.· Under these circumstances had application been renewed for admission into the Union. How different were rthe circum- stances under which annexation was consummated! T·exas had assumed a new and more imposing attitude. She had realized a currency composed of the precious metals ; peace had been restored with the Indians; our citizens released from prison; our internal condition was orderly, and the law restored; at peace with Mexico, and our independence recognized by that power ; 0 our seaboard free from invasion; Texas tranquil, and respected by other nations. It was in this condition that she became an integral part of the United States. She did not enter into this Union as a suppliant. No. The last overture for annexation was made by the United States, not by Texas. Texas was more coy than forward. The overture was received with as much coyness on her part as the United States had previously evinced towards her. I have said, Mr. President, that she was not a suppliant. She came into this confederacy as a sovereign and independent State. She brought
Powered by FlippingBook