WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 18tl7
535
expired, and that it was simply followed up by the present Execu- tive of the United States. Believing, then, as he did, that it was the duty of the President to give the protection to Texas which she desired, he must conclude that the President would have been false to his trust, and regardless of his obligation, and disloyal to the then citizens of the U_nited States, if he had not done so. Anterior to the time when annexation was before the authorities here-when Texas was wooed and sought to join this Union- Mr. Upshur wrote to the charge d'aff"aires of the United States to Texas, and the strongest assurances were given of regard and friendly feeling towards Texas, and Mr. Upshur menaced her with doleful consequences, and by every possible means of per- suasion that were decorous, to induce the Government of Texas to accede to the proposition of the President of the United States, by reopening negotiations. The subject had been suspended by the Government of Texas, or treated with apathy. She began to feel able to resist the oppressions of Mexico. She thought she had better remain a free though humble power than to come into a community of States where she was not treated with cordial feeling and hearty sympathy. Before the Government of Texas would entertain the application made by the Government of the United States to send a minister to Washington city to treat for annexation, the Executive of that country required, through her Secretary of State, that the Government of the United States should pledge itself that a squadron sufficient in the estimation of the President of Texas, should float on the Gulf, and that five hundred cavalry and one thousand infantry should be stationed on the frontier of Texas, and that both the land and naval forces should be subject to the order of the President of Texas. But this was not deemed a sufficient guarantee for Texas, and the President was required to pledge himself that in case of the failure of annexation from any cause, the United States would enter into a defensive alliance with Texas, against Mexico, and give assurances or guarantee to the independence of Texas. The Minister of the United States had little hesitation in acced- ing to the requirement for troops and a naval force, but in respect to the other point, he wished the privilege of referring it to his Government, and proposed that the Executive of Texas should be satisfied on that point by the Government of the United States, after the Texan commissioner should arrive at Washington, and before entering upon negotiations. The President of Texas then despatched an additional Minister to the United States, to act with the Minister previously sent, and considered that all the
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