The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 280
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280 Texas Historical Association Quarterly
March 28 he laid before Webster a communication urging, among
other things, the questions of free navigation of rivers and inter-
change of mails, and President Tyler made these two matters the
subject of a special message to Congress.1
Reily kept himself informed on the subject of annexation. On
April 14 he reported,
I feel satisfied fully that the administration is decidedly in
favor of the policy [annexation], and that the Question is a pop-
ular one with Congress; as to what would be the majority in the
Senate should that body be called upon to act, it is impossible to
say two thirds of the Senate being the Majority necessary to con-
sumate treaties. Texas is fast increasing in reputation and char-
acter, and by many Northern men is viewed as a country which
would be a valuable acquisition to the United States. I am led
to believe that one great reason why the negotiation of a Treaty
has been postponed and still delayed is, because the administration
wishes to make but one Treaty, and that a Treaty of Annexation.2
A week after the above report was made, Reily suggested to
Webster that they enter into the consideration of a treaty along
the lines submitted by Bee.3 The time of the proposal appeared
auspicious, for Webster replied that he would be happy to see him
at the department whenever he might call. Reily hastened to take
advantage of the opening, but was doomed once more to disap-
pointment; Webster, however, promised that he would take the
various points under consideration, hoping in a short time to be
able to enter fully and definitely into the subject.'
'The effect of the Mexican invasion was now shown. In May
Reily was instructed by his government not to press the treaty.
Owing to the excitement over the Vasquez raid, it was deemed best
to "suffer matters to glide along quietly until the U States Govt
decides upon the policy of annexation." Houston did not deem
the conclusion of the treaty of commerce to be of vital importance,
evidently hoping that annexation would be the outcome.'
'Reily to Jones, March 29, 1842, Ibid., I, 547-550; Richardson, Messages
and Papers, IV, 111.
2Reily to Jones, April 14, 1842, Tex. Dipl. Corr., I, 551-554.
8Reily to Webster, April 21, 1842, Ibid., I, 556.
4Webster to Reily, April 25, 1842, Ibid., I, 556; Reily to Jones, April
28, 1842, Ibid., I, 556-558.
"Waples to Reily, May 12, 1842, Ibid., I, 559.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912, periodical, 1912; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101056/m1/285/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.