116
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
through her minister Mr. Murphy, soliciting the Annexation of the country, it is impossible for the unperverted mind to resist the con- viction, that he was operated upon by some improper influences through the British Government, to a mean betrayed [sic] of his country's honor and her rights. If this conduct be not treason, I do not know what can constitute crime. General Houston, himself, is not insensible to his real situation. He is fully aware of the dark cloud of suspicion which is settling on his character; and being greatly terrified at the aspect of his public derelictions, he is now endeavoring, by all the powers of his ingenuity, to evade the responsibilities of his conduct and aver the-odium which he perceives is about to overwhelm him. And how does he expect to escape? He has but one hope. He relies upon a bold denial, and a credulous audience. Hear his own explanation of his conduct- hear his apology and judge of its validity. He pleads that the withdrawal of the Annexation proposition was to be temporary only; and that his negociations with Mexico, were not made in good faith; nor intended to be carried out; but were designed merely to awaken the fears and apprehensions of the United States. And pray for what purpose? Why, purely to promote the cause of Annexation. If he could only induce the American Government to believe, that, under British auspices, he was about to re-connect this country to the parent land, the United States would become willing to avert the measure, by re- ceiving Texas herself.-Wonderful diplomacy I How ingenius and pro- found! It shames the talents of Taleyrand and Machiavelli. But surely the people of Texas cannot be duped and deceived by such a flimsy and far fetch a falsehood? There is too much intelligence in this country for such treasonable folly to go undetcted [sic] ; and it is to hoped [sic] that there is still virtue enough for it not to go un- resented. The law may not be able to reach the offender now; but the indignant scorn of the nation he has dishonored and betrayed, can supply its place. Whatever may have been the object of Gen. Houston in these nego- ciations-whether he was incited to them by the hope of personal re-- ward from Great Britain and Mexico; or whether he sincerely be- Jieved that the reunion of Texas to the parent country was her best policy-there is one thing very obvious and certain, that the reason assigned by him for these trarn;:actions, is not the true one. It was not for the purpose, as he now aYers, of awakening "more lively appre- hensions on the part of the United Statf's, as to the importance of such a.n acquisition, to their security and power, and that they would soon evince a willingness to accept the proposition, if it should be re- newed." Sueh is his apology in his own elegant language; but the absurdity of it, become very striC'ken when we reflect upon a fact a1- ready mentioned, that thC'8e neg-ociation!'I were being conducted at the very time the American Gowrnment was inYiting us into the union. If 'thev were intende<l for no other purpm•e than to pro<luce in . the United States, "a willing-nc88 to accept the proposition, if it should bl? reneu:ed," whv then was the propmdtion not rene1red when the willing- ness was evinced. If thcv wne intenilNl mC'reh· to awaken a more Jivelv interest on the 8uhieet of Annexation, whv were thev t:'Ontinued after the United States ·had becom(' as much alive to the i-nbject as
Powered by FlippingBook