Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/377

 It is reported here that the Government of the United States has refused to sanction the pledges given by General Murphy. This surely can not be the case. If so, you will have found yourselves in a most awkward dilemma. What — disavow such pledges when they were based upon Mr. Upshur's letter? I can not believe this, unless the United States desired Texas to surrender herself to the uncertainty, or chances of annexation, contingent upon the various political influences which might interpose to the consummation of the object, and subject us to the injurious and annoying action of Mexico, instigated by the adhesion of Texas to the United States. A refusal on the part of that Government to secure us against consequences, which it has produced by direct solicitation of us, would be selfish in the extreme, and indeed I can not conceive appropriate terms in which to characterize such conduct and policy, in an official dispatch. It would amount to this only—that if anything could be made out of Texas, by the United States, they were prepared and willing to derive the advantage, and if that could not be done, they wished to incur no responsibility on the account of Texas, but leave her to all the consequences which might possibly result to her from the course which her generosity and credulity might induce her pursue. Pitiable would our situation be if we were not annexed, and had required no pledges; fortunately, this is not our situation.

You have now all the grounds before you, and I hope you will ponder wisely and proceed securely for our safety.

It is palpable scandal to the nineteenth century, that statesmen should be prating about the emancipation of persons born and their race held in slavery, by the custom and consent of nations for centuries, while they permit Santa Anna to forge and rivet chains upon eight millions of people who were born free. Thus will the horrors of slavery be increased, with design to render his success subservient to the subversion of the liberties of Texas, and form a new era in the history by degrading to slavery a portion of the Anglo-Saxon race. This ought not, and can not be. It argues on the part of statesmen a want of perception, as well as self-respect.

Gentlemen, you will keep the Government advised by every mail, and daily, of important events as they transpire. If you should be thrown for future reliance upon the friendly offices of Great Britain and France, you will, if possible, ascertain from them if they will act promptly, and what conditions they will expect of this Government.

Mr. Van Zandt has written that the United States were not willing to form any alliance with Texas, as it was contrary to their policy. (Hence the necessity, upon the failure of the immediate annexation of this country to the confederacy of the North, and you will, as I have indicated, approach the Governments of England and France.

It is the first duty of statesmen and patriots to insure the liberty and wellbeing of their country. This is now our attitude, and every honest man in Texas will justify and approve that policy, which will place us in a situation where our liberties are secured, whether it be by annexation, or the establishment of our independence. France and England will act effectively, if we do not permit ourselves to be trifled with and duped by the United States. But of this subject, as your situation may soon call your attention to it, you will be the best judges.