Houston v1

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836

488

will enjoy the desired escort of Col. Hockley, 3 Maj. Wm. H. Patton,• (my former aid-de-camp) and Col B. E. Bee. 5 That his great object is to enter into such arrangement with the President of the United States, as will place Texas in the position which is desirable for her to enjoy I have no doubt. I have despatched an accredited agent or Minister Plenipoten- tiary to you who will doubtless arrive before Gen. Santa Anna can reach Washington. My great desire is that our country Texas shall be annexed, to the United States and on a footing of Justice and reciprocity to the parties. It is policy to hold out the idea (and few there are who Know to the contrary) that we are very able to sustain ourselves against any power who are not impotent, yet I am free to say to you that we cannot do it Do not understand me as yielding to any unfounded apprehensions in behalf of Texas- Whenever I see that the crisis has arrived I will repair to the van of danger and show to the world that I can act and fall as a man. Whatever of unpleasant forebodings meet my view, is matter of great distress. It is not my individual hazard or difficulties that I regard but it is to contemplate a country so nearly re- deemed that may be lossed by remissness in the friends of liberty or by the want of forecast in those who are coordinate powers with me! To witness the fairest portion of the Globe cast on the hazard, more uncertain than "a die" must awaken in the patriot sensations of the most lively and painful character. I look to you as the friend and patron of my youth and the bene- factor of mankind to interpose in our behalf and save us. Your wishes are regarded by every patriot in Texas, and did I not believe by liberating Santa Anna I was acting in accordance with your wishes, I might distrust the measure- as it is I feel no distrust in its propriety and policy! To you Sir, I confide the course and the measures so far as may be in your power of making a free and happy people I hope with our kindred people of the United States- Sam Houston Genl A. Jackson 1Texas National Registe,·, December 17, 1845. E. C. Barker (ed), The A ustin Papers, III, 457-458. 2Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Three recent biographies of this man, written in English are: Clarence R. Wharton, El P1·esidente (1894);