Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/376

 Union." This is an important fact. Never has the situation of Texas been so interesting since the 21st of April, 1836, as at this moment. You may rely upon it, if the Government of the United States does not act immediately, and consummate the work of annexation, Texas is forever lost to them.

In my opinion, England and France will say to Texas, "If you will agree to remain separate forever from the United States, we will forthwith prevent all further molestation to you from Mexico, and guarantee you independence, agreeably to your institutions now established and avowed." You can not fail to discover what would be the proper course of Texas in such an event. Texas has done all that she could do to obtain annexation; and you may rely upon this fact, in the event of a failure, that Texas will do all that she should do.

If a treaty is made, it will of course have been done after the pledges given by the United States Chargé d'Affaires have been recognized by his Government; and then we are secure. If a treaty has been made, and those pledges exacted by you, and it should be rejected, it will be proper to ascertain if annexation can take place by Congressional action, and this done promptly. Should all fail, you will forthwith call upon Mr. Packenham, the French Minister, as well as also the Government of the United States, and after suitable conversations and explanations, present to them the subject of a triple guarantee for our independence, and to prevent all further molestation, or at least an unlimited truce with Mexico. And then, if all prospect of annexation fails with the Government of the United States, and it should refuse to unite upon the basis here laid down, you will then, so far as practicable, arrange the matter with France and England, and General Henderson, with Mr. Miller, Secretary of the Secret Legation, will make a visit of leave to the heads of the proper Departments, and return to Texas. Texas ought not, can not, and will not remain in its present situation.

The subject of annexation has already embarrassed our relations with Mexico. The truce will end on the first of May, as I presume, for I did not accede to the terms of the armistice, since Texas was recognized as a "Department of Mexico," in the terms of agreement between the commissioners. Mexico was well disposed to settle matters very amicably, when our commissioners arrived at Sabinus, but one of the Mexican commissioners was too unwell to proceed to business. When he recovered, the subject of annexation was mooted in the United States, and the Texan Congress; all of which had reached Mexico. Of these facts, in part. General Henderson was apprised; and the anticipated rupture of our negotiations with Mexico was one reason why I was so careful to require of General Murphy (endorsed by his Government), such pledges as would secure us against all contingencies that might arise to us, in consequence of our opening negotiations with the United States, on the subject of annexation.

This Government has been called on, and requested by her Majesty's Government, to state our relation to the Government of the United States. It was due to England, and her Majesty's Government was informed that an agent, Gen. Henderson, had been sent to Washington city to negotiate upon the subject of annexation; but the particulars were not rendered. Since this occurred, I had an interview with Captain Elliot, and I do not think the British Government will withdraw its friendly offices from the subject of peace between Texas and Mexico.