Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 24, 1845 Page: 4 of 8
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LE TTER TO GtiN. SAM HOUS TON:
Sir: 1 will pretend to offer no apology
for presuming 'to submit to your consideration
the result of some grave and serious reflections
to which the present momentous crisis in the
affairs of Texas has given rise as if the views
1 have taken on the sunject are not correct
nor of sufficient importance to command your
most serious attention any apology for obtrud-
iugthem at all on your notice would be both
idle and impertinent. Equally impertinent
would.it be to suppose that a knowledge of
my name would add to or detract from their
importance in your estimation.. They must
stand or fall by their own intrinsic merits or
demerits A man who writes anonymously
or under a fictitious name can hardly be sup
posed to have auy intention of flattering.; and
if I could descend to such an unworthy expe-
dient to accomplish any object whatever I
am not exactly sure that you would be the
most promising subject on which to make the
experiment.. So you will please acquit me of
any such intention when I say that to you the
majority of your countrymen at this time
naturally enough look for advice and direc-
tion as to how they will act in the extraordi?
nary and unlnoked for emergency which lias
just arisen in their affairs as they are aware
that that action will involve in it consequences
of the utmost importance directly to them
selves and their posterity and indirectly to thn
moral considerations. toourselves to our pos-
terity and to the whole human race. And I
would tuke the liberty of asking what other
considerations influence the conduct of those
who are the most clamorous-for annexation?
Are not all their professions of patriotism
and all the parade they make .of the hallowed
recollections and associations which hind them
to the land of their birthjjiollow and insincere?
Let them disguise the fact as they will iliev
are the worshippers of Mammon and their
spouting orators the apostles of Plntiss ! and
is it at the behest and through the influence of
such I would ask that the sovereignty of a
nation is to be transferred? Are the uchiev-
ments of oupsoldiers the labors of our states-
men and the sufferings of our citizens to re-
sult merely in the transfer of a large oorlion
of territory from one government to another
and in the realizing lo a horde of graspim
land speculators who neither shared in the
danger nor contributed to thoexpence of -the
undertaking of splendid fortunes?
"Without being guilty of the presumption of
attempting to scan the ways of a mysterious
but all wise and all good Providence" or even
pretending dogmatically to stale what are
the infallible prognostics of the dispensations
of that Providence with regard to the destinies
ot nations is there not something
April W
whole human race. But Sir although it
needs but a small degree of observation and
reflection in a man of common uuderstnnd-
i:g to come to this conclusion we find it is
one which appears to have very little weight
with those who are anxious to hurry the peo-
ple into an unconditional acceptance of the
somewhat equivocal propositions made by the
United States Congress to the Government
and people of Texas. The hot haste with
which a very influential if not a very large
class iu Eastern Texas are urging the people
to an immediate acceptance of the terms pro-
posed before they liave time for deliberate
and mature reflection coupled with the omi-
nous circumstance that the press is in this
part or the Republic at all events. Iicrmctical-
g very rc-
maikable in the whole history of the people of
Texas since the first settlement of the coun-
try to the present moment? The whole his
tory of the world does not offer a parallel to
the sublime spectacle of a mere handful of
pcoj.le (ttt the highest calculation not over
50000) who determined to be free openly
defying a jnaiion of S000UOO; and not only
making thcir-'defiancegood but ficr achiev-
ing victories as brilliant as the page of history
records wresting from their grasp a territory
larger in extent nener in natural resources
Willi a milder climate a richer soil and adapt-
ed to a greater variety of productions than
that of the mighty Kingdom of France a
country of unsurpassed beauty whose sky
rivals if notsurpasse"s thatof Italy; and which
is admirably situated for commerce a coun
try whose happy geographical position places
ly sealed against a fair and. full discussion of it beyond the malign influence of the entari"-
the propositions of the U. S. Government
leads reflecting men to suspect that those gen-
try are not actuated by motives altogether so
..pure and patriotic as. they pretend to be.
ATitli those characters annexation Tind an in-
crease in the value of Texas lands are conver-
tible terms. Only let the connection which
they fancy indissolubly to exist between these
two propositions be destroyed and they care
not tnree straws whether Texas is to be annex-
ed or?whether she remain a separate nation ;.
whether she sinks-or whether she swims.
They have come to the country to realize
princely fortunes by speculating in lands not
to partake in the danger and difficulties the
toils and the privation endured by the men of
'35 and '36 of which matters I take it for
granted Sir that you have some knowledge
in order that this beautiful country might be-
come another asylum for the oppressed of all
nations; tliat anotuerlempleot treeiiom might
be reared by the Anglo 'Saxon race the prin-
ciples of the architecture of which would be
the same with those of the gorgeous one erect-
ed by their Lrethcrn of the Northern States
although the style might be a little different
and the design somewhat more unique ; and
where the structure might not only exhibit
greater unity of design and symmetry of pro-
portion but fully equal solidity of construc-
tion and durability in the materials of the
building. One of the legitimate fruits of those
dangers and toils and privations would be
that the important fact would be demonstrat-
ed to all the nations of the earth that the Re-
publican system of government can exist in
more modes than one ; that it can accommo-
date itself to all the varying circumstances of
territorial size geographical position differ-
ence of soil climate &c. ; thai: all it requires
is intelligence and virtue in the people in
order to their enjoying the largest amount of
prosperity and happiness which human beings
are capable of enjoying in this state of exist-
ence. But Sir permit me to remind you that al-
though you and I and thousands of people in
and out of Texas; find no difficulty whatever
in assenting to the above important proposi-
tions which appear to us in fact selfeyi-
dent and which it would be supererogatory
and impertinent in any man to attempt to prove
to. us such is not yet the case with the great
hulk of mankind. They are so circumstanced
that these truths which to us appear selfevi-
dent must to them be demonstrated not only
by reason but byeiawpfe. Xet us bear in
mind that this view or the subject imposes on
its-duties of a solemn and most important na-
ture duties which in their range and' extent
embrace the interests of the whole human
family. 1 utterly disclaim the cold blooded
selfish policy and die heartless chilling phi-
losophy which would lead us to grasp at pre-
sent pecuniary advantages regardless of all
jiod . great man jr. of themmcra imsgiairj idvtn-
lacatoo. .-
ling systems of policy which exert such bane
ful influence on the European nations. The
people who inhabit this country- too have
maintained- undisturbed possession of it for
nine .years; they are increasing in numbers
in wealth in respectability of character. The
'people if let alone by demagogues land specu-
lators and politicians by trade on both sides
of the Sabinv would be fully competent to
answer the high expectations formed bv the
world of them and to fulfil that glorious desti
ny to which a benignant Providence seems-
to invite them..
Cast your eye- over the- map of the world.
Sir trace the history of nations up to the hih-
est antiquity or wiucii we have any authentic
record and I would ask where do you find anv
other nation or country on the face of die earth
which has ever possessed such natural advan-
toges and such political privileges as-we now
possess? Of the natural advantages! have
already spoken. and with regard to political
privileges ! may be asked what privileges do
we possess that would not be secured to us if
we were annexed to the U. States: I answer
great and most important ones. Our farmers
would not have to pay 50 per cent more for
some ot the prime necessaries of life if we re-
mained an independent nation and reduced
our tariff to about 12 or 15 per cent. which
in the course of four or five years we could do.
Every man who knows any thing of the. com-
mercial business of Texas and of the circum-
stances of the great bulk of the population
knows that for many years to come a very
large portion (perhaps thclargestof the goods
which shall be imported must consist of the
coarser description of fabrics which under
the present United States tariff; pay a duty of
from 50 to 75 per cent. Permit me Sir to
'Iraw your pnrticulnr attention to this most im-
portant fact as from the low prices which our
staples fetch it will be a grievous burden on
our fanners to have to pay such an enormous
protective duty on articles which are indispen-
sably necessary to them merely to uphold
the manufacturers of the North. If we want
any evidence as to what the efftcts of coming
under the operation of the United States-tariff
must inevitably be on the prosperity of Tex
as let us look at the picture which the present
condition of things in jjie Southern States'
presents toour view. In ihe language of an
eloquent Southern writer: "The Southlis pros-
trate at the feet of the North her commerce
ruined and her shipping nearly annihilated."
We have here in Texas as yet no vested
rights to the upholding which it will be neces-
sary to sacrifice the general interests. But
are the people of the United States not equally
favorably situated ? They are not as there is
now a fierce war waging in that country bej
iween we nuvocates oi vested rights and those
whoi quaintly style themselves "the opposers
of vested wrongs."
We have now thanks to the last ndminis-
curse of modern times and we have no vil-
lainous banking system.- How stands the case
with the people of the States ?
We are shackled by no artificial system of
commercial policy based on principles at va-
riance with the natural laws of trade and in-
flicting incalculable injury on the community.
What would the friends of free trade in the
United States give to be similarly situated ?
We have as yet in Texas no high tariff
men and no nuilifiers. We have no abolition-
left- .i...l I xr t
a uiiu mij prusiuvery men. e nave no
North arrayed in bitter hostility againstthe
South ; and no South equally bitter and hos-
tile towards the North. We have hut one set
of institutions but one government and that
government admirably adapted to our circum-
stances. Our interests too arc all homo'jenc-
ous.
There is one most important fact to which
1 would particularly direct your attention and
that is that in a consolidated government pub-
lic opinion which is after all the real palla-
dium of liberty operates with incomparably
belter effect than iu a federal one. To illus-
trate this doctrine it will not be necessary for us
to travel out of the United States and we will
take an instance which is too notorious to he
called in questiou. In the Southern States
and particularly in the state of South Carolina
public opinion was and is decidely opposed
to the tariff' laws. But sir public opinion has
in vain contended for the last fifteen years
with the powerful manufacturing interest and
with the advocates of the doctrine of " vested
rights." But did the southern people stand
alone in this contest? No sir they were
powerfully aided by the liberal and enlight-
ened portion of the press and by theffree trade
party in the northern but particularly in the
western States. They had the weight of
sound argument and of numbers too on their
side. But all availed not; their opponents
had the weight of capital and of sophistry on
their side; and for political manoeuvring and
wire drawing it would not be easy to find
their matches in the whole world. But will
any man venture to assert that if public opin-
ion could have been concentrated and brought
to bear with due effect on the action of the
government that this political iniquity could
ever have been perpetrated ; or if we grant
that by some means or other it might have
been perpetrated that for fifteen years and
upwards it could have overborne the voice of
public opinion of justice and of common
sense? The true cause we must look for in
the very nature of a federal government where
the power of the government being divided
and distributed among a multiplicity of subor-'
dinate but still independent sovereignties the
responsibility to public opinion must of con-
sequence by being divided among so many
independent governments be lessened and
the legitimate influence of public opinion pro-
portionnbly weakened. I yield to none-sir
in veneration and respect for the illustrious
sages who formed the Federal Constitution
still that Constitution has been rather an adapt-
ation to the. circumstances in which the revo
lution found their country and over which
they had no. control thaiMhe mere happy con-
trivance of human wisdom and skill in the
art of government. It is very true that in
that admirable adaptation of their government
to the peculiar circumstances in which they
found their country after their revolution
they have displayed wisdom and skill of the
very highest order; the Constitution which
they framed is nevertheless the result of the
extraordinary combination of circumstances.
under which they found themselves placed1
and'to which they found it accessary to yield.
Now sir the upshot of the matter is that
what was wisdom in them is wisdom in us
too. They adapated their government to their
circumstances ; we have done the same ; but
if we accede to the propositions of the United
States government we shall be found changing
that government tor one winch is not anapted
to our circumstances and the action of which
must in the nature of things- operate against
some of our most important interests.
Now sir if this reasoning is correct and I
fearlessly challenge any man in Texas to over-
turn it the conclusion to which it inevitably
leads is that it will be our wisdom not to wish
for any closer connection with the United
States than we now have. But if for argu-
ment's sake we were to grant that in our pre
sent condition it would be advisable that we
should venter'the Union oirfair and honorable
terms let us examine the propositions now be-
fore the4 people of Texas and if we can re-
concile our mind to the conclusion that the
terms- proposed are fur and honorable. then
therfe is no alternative left ns. but to come to the
conclusion likewise that you attempted tn-com-promise
both the honor of Texas and tliat of
the United States by demanding too muck ;
and that the Senate did perfectly right to re-
ject1 the4 Treaty which your commissioners
concluded with those of the United States.
Now sir if I were an advocate for annexation
1 would unhesitatingly say that you had not
asked one whit too much and that neither
the honor nor interest of the United States
ce
different portions of the States in antieipa
.ISn OI OUT fwinv annnvaJ t
trnlinn nn nana .. ...... !-. rt 1 . . . . ... v I .. .. . . T
..... . w. K..K .. u n-inu WOuld tuner. by acceding to.all that you di April 5th IS45V Coloradq.
mnnded. The propositions now made hy the
United States are unworthy of that nation to
offer; it would be degrading in-Texas to re-
ceive them.
1 have no doubt that long ere now the
question has arisen in your mind what end do
1 propose tomyself to accomplish by-attempting
to force on your consideration propositions
which are as clear to your mind as the sun ut
noonday. !- will answer- this question by re-
minding you-of your own language to Santa
Anna concerning the responsibility which at-
uimmu iu such inumciuais as were by chanct
or Providence elevated to very high stations
vjo not pretend to give your language ex-
actly not having your letter by me and if I
vary the sentiment a little and expafcl it
somewhat to suit my purpose 1 suppose you
will consider it no great harm. " Whenever
any individual of eminent talents of ome
republican principles and well tried patriotism
has done the state such service as has deservedly-
raised him to the first place in the
esteem and affection of his countrymen he
must not come to the rash conclusion that a
he is now retired into private life the state has
no further claim on his services: as emPr.n-
cies may arise iu which without the enemv
being thunderingat the gates his political sa-
gacity his prudence and his mature judg-
ment ought to be put all in requisition and
taxed to their utmost extent in order to pre-
vent his countrymen from rushing headlon-
into a measure which may blight the faired
political prospect that ever any nation had on
the face of this earth." Such nn emergency-
has nr:sennnd I contend that it is high time for
you to speak out. I will take the fiberty too
ol informing you that we want you to pav us -a
visit here in Eastern Texas and to hear "you
talk about these matters as we have at pre
sent scarcely any-body giving us advice or
comfort but a parcel of land speculators spout-
ing orators and jack leg lawyers; andiron:
such advice and comfort as thev have to "ive
Good Lord deliver us. Talk'of Job's com-
forters indeed ! They were perfect saints and'
gentlemen compared with the chaps that wc
have to do with. What think you sir they
talk of nothing less than pulling our President
down out of his seat and -earing the govern-
ment to pieces and flimrinir the fr7pntc
about his ears if he will dare to delay Tallin
Congress or a Convention in order to con
sum mate the measure of annexation Their
maxim is to beat the iron while it is hot as if-
it once gets cold it is hard to say what the con-'
sequences may be and so it is for if the mat-
ter was set in its true light befote the people I
am rather ofthe opinion they would decide
the question in a manner that would not he
exactly to the liking of those gentry. Some
of your old friends have a great curiosity to
see how they would look if you were sudden-
ly to appear among them and speak on the
other side of & question. I am myself of
opinion that there would at all events be an
ominoussightof long'faces and'that land claims
would not for a time be in much demnd.
With sentiments of the highest regard
Isubscribc myself your ob't. servant.
A 'Citizen of Eastern Texas.
For the Register.
Arrnrtic!eapp.ear5--in the last number of tlis-
Houstnn Telegraph headed "Touching Ap-
peal" in which the Editor calls all persons
whojare so unfortunate as tobe poor or in debtr
"Renegades and Tories."
Allow me to ask who are these men thus
libelled by the Editor of the Telegraph ? I
answer the unfortunate who havin- beeu
duped by some shsewd speculator or swind-
ler out of their all in the U. S have removed
to Texas with their families braved all the
dangers endured dl the hardships suffered
all the privations attendant on poverty in a-
new country; have fought for the soil they
live upon and by industry and frugality have
secured them a little" home in tlmhope that
they could enjoy it without the fear of an
execution for the balance of their securit;-
debt to some foreign Bank or swindling 'Bro
ker or the last payment on a bond for pro-
perty bought at ten times its value and for
which they never received a title because thev
had not paid the last dollar due although
every thing had been sacrificed to do so.
Again there are many in this country who
have been prosperous merchants in the U. .
but by misfortunes of different kinds havT
been so reduced that they could not pay all
their debts the? gave up. all to their creditors
and came here to try again to Support them-
selves and families. Some of them have su
ceeded well while others as good men as r
lived have lost tliehr lives in the attempt to
protect the .'soil' they called their own. Such
are the men tfmt the Telegraph calls 'tariesS'
and the EuTtor would' fain make them believe
that their property would be as safe if annexed!
as at present.. 1 can conceive norenson why
he attempts to;deceive unless he has an intersY
in som.gpthe rich companies who are buying
up u.u.uiuuus against uie citizens of Tern
. . . - -1
H.-"1 .
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Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 24, 1845, newspaper, April 24, 1845; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80114/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.