Memoranda and official correspondence relating to the Republic of Texas, its history and annexation. Including a brief autobiography of the author Page: 87 of 657
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1850.]
MEMORANDAL
83
which was brought about tell years later by Gen. Taylor's advance
to the Rio Grande, that is, "war by the act of Mexico,"
and with precisely the same want of truth. This plan was defeated
by the determination of the Texan troops, by which Gen.
Houston was forced on the 15th April, 1836, to deflect from the
road to Nacogdoches, Gaines' Ferry, and Fort Jessup, and to take
the one which led to San Jacinto. The affair at this place was
one of those singularly fortuitous and accidental circumstances,
by which "the best laid schemes of mice or men" are sometimes
frustrated. The Texan people have great reason to be
thankful to a kind Providence for that event, but the schemes
of Generals Santa Anna, Jackson, Houston, and Gainles, were all,
in different ways, more or less disappointed by it. * * *
[Note omitted, v. p. 85.]
JTune 3d.-I would not be understood as saying that Gen.
Jackson attached no importance to the annexation of Texas
previous to 1844-'45; but he had come to think that the settlement
and occupation of this country, almost exclusively by
Americans, made its ultimate reversion sure, or in the language
of Col. Benton in 1844, that "' any time in twenty years would
be soon enough," for in that time Texas would be so worn down
by her difficulties and dissensions, which last Gen. Houston was
so happy in producing and continuing, that she would be glad
enough in the course of that time to seek security and repose by
falling into the arms of the United States upon their own terms.
But California was not so situated, and for a foothold there Gen.
Jackson would have paid liberally, Texas being considered as a
contingent remainder; or he would have engaged in a war
with Mexico for the same purpose, and to settle old scores and
collect an old debt, if the pretext could have been found for
commencing it. The retreat of Gen. Houston to the country
between the Sabine and the Neches, the pursuit of Santa Anna
and his crossing the latter stream, would have been considered
an invasion of the territory of the United States, by their President,
and by the Taylor of that day, Gen. E. P. Gaines-a conflict
would have ensued between some of his troops and some
of those of Santa Anna-blood would have been spilled upon
(disputed) American ground-and " war commenced by the act
of Mexico!" Then Gen. Jackson would haye accomplished
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Jones, Anson. Memoranda and official correspondence relating to the Republic of Texas, its history and annexation. Including a brief autobiography of the author, book, January 1, 1859; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2391/m1/87/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.