WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1847
540
assail, not only the authorities of Texas, but the British and other foreign Ministers, and to denounce them as foreign emis- saries, and the President of the Republic of Texas as a traitor to the principles of liberty, for which he ought to be hurled from his high estate. He was perfectly aware that all this would cause some excitement, which might lead to annexation; but Texas was not in a very comfortable position; and therefore he was willing that the United States should be induced to act by public opinion. So far, then, as that was concerned, he did not regret the abuse which was heaped on Texas by the people of the United States, and by some statesmen too. But England was represented by a gentleman [Captain Elliot] whose intelligence would compare with that of any representative from any country, if Mr. H. was able to judge. He was a man who sympathized with Texas, and he proposed nothing but what was for the interest of Texas. He was representing faithfully his own Government, and he regretted that the blind zeal of Mexico could have withstood the strong remonstrance which had been made to her, to recognize the independence of Texas, He required nothing but commercial relations between England and Texas, and an interchange of her fabrics for the products of the South. The character of that gentleman was preeminently praiseworthy and patriotic, and it would be seen that Texas appreciates him when she writes her annals. And as a statesman and diplomatist, he was entitled to all the respect and gratitude of Texas. And now as to the expediency of prosecuting the [Mexican] war, or what course is it the most expedient for the Government of the United States to pursue? This is a question that involves not only the prosperity, but the honor and glory, of this nation. Propositions have been made to withdraw our troops to a certain line. This would be a line of little less than two thousand miles for this country to protect, which would be worse than the in- vasion of Mexico. Why, they would have literally to make the Rio Grande a fortification, requiring, from thence to the Pacific, ten thousand men. It would require a corps of cavalry-nay, a battalion-to guard the caravan of supplies of the army stationed so far from its resources. The supplies would have to be sent by wagons, or on mules, and unless the supplies were protected, the army maintaining the line would be liable to be starved out at any time, and millions on millions would not be sufficient to pay for the transportation alone. But besides the danger of the
Powered by FlippingBook