Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/304

 of this subject been disregarded, particularly with England and France, as our commercial relations, so far as they depend upon European supplies, must exist with those nations. Since the departure of our Commissioner to the Court of St. James, no intelligence from him has reached this Government.

For the regulation of the circumstances of foreign ministers, agents, and consuls, it will be necessary to pass enactments, or to adopt some system to facilitate the desires of the Government, and obviate the embarrassments which must impede their success. Upon this subject a report of the Secretary of State will be presented to Congress for consideration.

The relations which existed between this country and the United States, at the period of my last communication on the subject, have undergone no important change, unless we regard the correspondence of our minister at Washington, with the honorable Secretary of State, as indicating the determination of the Government of the United States upon the subject of our annexation. This government, from the expression of the people of Texas, having in the most frank and undisguised manner presented their desires for annexation, and enforced them by considerations which appeared conclusively to be beneficial to both countries, did hope that the United States would deem it their interest, while in the prosecution of a wise and just policy, to receive and embrace Texas as an integral part of the Union of the North. The consummation of this desire seems to be postponed for the present, and will render the course which we should adopt palpable and necessary. Recognized as we have been by the United States a free, sovereign, and independent nation, it becomes our imperious duty to pursue such a course of policy and legislation as will at once command the respect and confidence of other nations, while our internal safety and prosperity will be secured. A fair and liberal policy should be extended to all nations who may desire to establish commercial relations with us, or who may deem it proper to introduce their fabrics or commodities into our country.

The Chargé d'Affaires of the United States, duly accredited, has been received in the Government of Texas, and confidence is entertained that the most friendly reciprocal understanding between the two countries will be established and preserved. This circumstance originating with our mother country, the first to hail Texas as a member of the great family of nations, is calculated to awaken in us emotions the most friendly, and inspire us with a manly confidence in our condition.

A well-organized judiciary, composed of enlightened and honest members, is the palladium of civil liberty. The present existing laws are doubtless as perfect as could have been expected to arise under the circumstances in which they were created. Experience and time have demonstrated to us their insufficiency, and forcibly inculcate the necessity of a remedy. The resources of the several counties up to this time, have not authorized the creation of jails. For the remedy of this defect, I would recommend that authority be given to the several district judges (where information shall be filed) in cases of felony, to direct the immediate trial of the accused. From this course no prejudice can arise to the culprit, while the country will be relieved from a burden, and the opportunities of the guilty to escape from justice will be diminished. The regulations of fees and perquisites connected with the judicial department of the Government is a subject of mucli importance, and should claim the scrutiny and consideration of Congress. If this is done we may hope that cupidity will be disappointed, and extortion banished from our land.