The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 1, July 1897 - April, 1898 Page: 81
334 p. : ill., ports., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Annexation of Texas.
magazines, arms, armaments, and other property and means pertain-
ing to the public defence belonging to the said Republic of Texas."
It ought to have been considered that these enumerated means and
property have occasioned a large portion of our national debt, and
remains to be paid for by Texas. They have probably cost this na-
tion not less than one million of dollars; and to admit that they are
now worth only half that sum, would fix their value at a half mil-
lion, which would be of great service in organizing a new govern-
ment or governments, and in cleaning out rivers and improving
our facilities for transporting produce to market by means of roads.
If Texas shall be required to surrender her property, without re-
ceiving any remuneration for the same, it can only be regarded in
the light of a payment or tribute for our admission into the Union.
If the resolutions of Mr. Brown are to form the basis of our admis-
sion, this objection can not be removed, but must remain as a re-
buke to us, in future days, for our hasty and inconsiderate action.
By assuming the amendment as a basis, many objections can be
obviated; and by negotiation, terms less exceptionable may be
adopted. If the President of the United States should appoint
commissioners, and they should be met by corresponding commis-
sioners on the part of Texas, they could come to an agreement
upon such terms as would be honorable and just to both parties.
The terms thus agreed upon could then be submitted to the people
of Texas in their popular capacity, and their votes taken thereupon,
at the September election for members of our Congress. If they
were approved by their voice, then our Congress could act upon
the expression given by the people, and wait for the action of the
government of the United States. If that government should ac-
cord in the action of this, then Texas could more safely proceed
to frame a constitution adapted to her circumstances. The rea-
sons for this course, to my mind, are important, and, I may add,
indispensable, in our present condition.
The conditions prescribed in Mr. Brown's resolutions leave us no
alternative, and I am satisfied would not have been adopted by the
Congress of the United States, apart from the amendment. By the
amendment, the President of the United States was allowed an al-
ternative as to the mode of presenting the subject to the govern-
ment and people of Texas for their consideration and action. But
as the alternative chosen might very materially affect the interests
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 1, July 1897 - April, 1898, periodical, 1897/1898; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101009/m1/98/?rotate=270: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.