Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/165

Rh and financial machinery were employed to avert what was clearly foreseen would prove detrimental to all English and French interests on the Western Continent. Houston controlled negotiations. Motives of personal aggrandizement could not constrain or coerce him to adopt the policy of England or France. Had that policy prevailed, the map of the United States would present different boundaries, and the power of the United States a different aspect.

In proportion as Texas was spurned from the embrace of the United States, the British and French Cabinets redoubled their exertions to prevent annexation. The Congress of the United States still held aloof from legislation, plied by threats, awed by clamor, and blinded by falsehood and prejudice. The minds of the friends of Texas in the Union were filled with timidity and apprehensions. But President John Tyler and his Cabinet were not indifferent spectators of the moving drama. Whatever opinion may be entertained respecting the wisdom of President Tyler's administration in other matters, there can be but one opinion, that he pursued a most enlightened, sagacious, and true American policy in the affair of annexing Texas to the United States. With vigilance, activity, and a thorough understanding of the merits of the question, he strove to consummate the vastly important measure of annexation at the earliest possible moment. Throughout his administration he was true to his policy on this question. He steadily and firmly pursued his purpose, unawed by popular clamor, and unseduced by the minions who sought to eclipse his fame. Temporarily, his reputation may have suffered with both of the political parties then existing, but the time has come when the important consequences of that great act, whose consummation is so largely due to him, has become apparent to the whole American people.

In the meantime negotiations were conducted in London by Hon. Ashbel Smith with the most consummate ability, and England and France did interfere. The friendly offices also of the Cabinet at Washington city were tendered, but exerted but little influence with Mexico.

The policy of Gen. Houston on this important subject may be inferred from a dispatch from the Department of State of Texas to Hon. Mr. Van Zandt, Charge d'Affaires of the Republic at Washington city, dated July 6, 1843, an extract from which is herewith presented. Whether our Government would ever consent to annexation on fair and equal terms was to him exceedingly doubtful. In this state of doubt, and whatever may have been his private feelings, he was resolved to maintain the most friendly