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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1847
541
supplies being taken by hostile parties, the enemy could pass between our stations into the interior at any time, unless we had a large force of cavalry to pursue them. And when we had congregated a sufficient force to repel an invading army, the enemy could pass at other points into the interior, or take gar- risons which had been weakened by the concentration of the army. Such a war he was satisfied would be interminable. Why, how long was the war continued when there was the ocean between Mexico and Spain? He believed it was nineteen years after the revolution before Spain recognized Mexican indepen- dence. Nor would Mexico ever come to terms unless we make her feel our power. If It were even possible to supply the line, as projected, there would be a continual border war. No soldier would ever be able to go out of the garrison, unless with a large body of troops. They would not trust themselves in small parties, lest they should be cut off by rancheros, who exercise great vigi- lance and address. They are sagacious, watchful, hardy and enterprising. Rancheros on the frontier correspond to pioneers of North America. T~ey are good marksmen, so that they could organize a very efficient force. But besides, this line would be exposed to various Indian tribes-to the Comanches, and others who occupy that vast waste between the Del Norte and the Pacific. So that we should have not a Mexican army alone, but an Indian enemy, to combat. He could not vote for a measure, therefore, which embodied such a provision. If Mexico is to be conquered and brought to terms-he would not say "conquer a peace," but "a war"-it must be by subduing her-by letting her feel our superiority. Mexico has not yet felt the calamities of war. She feels that we have penetrated into her country, but such is the humanity which always will characterize our arms that it is a less ~ffiiction than she apprehended. Her people are becoming wealthy by the muni- ficent means which we dispense in the purchase of supplies, and hence the inducement is to wish the continuance of the war, rather than its termination. Should we, then, forbear, in regard to the condition of a sister republic? Should we not raise our hand against Mexico because it is a republic? Why, what kind of republican institutions were those of Mexico? Whilst feeble Texas had maintained a Government for ten years without a single convulsion, how many had Mexico endured? In the last twelve months, Mexico had had three revolutions, he believed.
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