Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/310



It affords me pleasure to salute you as the representatives of the nation. Elevated a second time, by the suffrages of a free and enlightened people, to the chief magistracy of our country, I proceed to the discharge of the embarrassing and weighty responsibilities of my office with the utmost solicitude. It seems that we have arrived at a crisis, in our national progress, which is neither cheering for the present nor flattering for the future. I heartily regret that truth will not allow me to approach the Congress with the usual felicitations of present and prospective happiness. The time has arrived when facts must be submitted in their simplest dress. Unawed by sectional or party influences, I shall occupy the position my constituents have assigned me with unslumbering vigilance, and a sacred determination to act with decision and to speak with candor. The people must be heard and their rights protected. The constitution must be observed, and the laws must be obeyed.

My intention was to have made this communication to the honorable Congress at an earlier day; but, notwithstanding my unremitting exertions since my inauguration, to make myself acquainted with the true condition of the Government, I have not yet been able to derive that clear and satisfactory information which I deemed important to the correctness of my opinions. The conclusion I have arrived at, in reference to the existing state of things, and the measures to be adopted to extricate ourselves from crushing embarrassment, and to provide for the absolute wants of the Government and people, will be laid before Congress with all the brevity the importance of the subjects alluded to will permit.

The annual message of my predecessor, at the opening of the present session of Congress, has placed the condition of our foreign relations generally before you. As yet, I have been unable to examine the voluminous correspondence of our agents abroad, on file in the State-office. I can not, therefore, advise, at this time, any particular legislation on this subject.

From our contiguity to the United States, and our intimate and daily intercourse with its citizens, the Executive views it as a matter of much magnitude to effectuate, at the earliest period, a treaty with that power of a more definite and specific character than that which constitutes the basis of our subsisting relations. I do not doubt that the Congress will provide the necessary means of attaining an object at once so desirable and necessary.

We stand in the same attitude toward Mexico as we did in 1836. Overtures have been made by my predecessors for the purpose of securing an amicable adjustment of existing difficulties; but, as often as made, they have been rejected under circumstances which have not exempted this Government from humiliation. Therefore, until a disposition is evinced on the part of Mexico herself to solicit friendly relations, the present Executive of Texas will neither incur the expense nor risk the degradation of further advances. Aware of the Mexicans, and believing, as I always have, that Mexico is and will remain unable to invade us with any hope of success, I would recommend the kindest treatment of her citizens, so far, at least, as they might be disposed to engage in commerce with