The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-06
THE TEXAS QUESTION.

The annexation OF texas is Stlii the Stea' qucSuo'
Of the day. The brilliant prospects of its success
are not sufficient to dvest Of the interest which it
has excited for more than twelve months past. The
issue is too important, the stake is too great, not to
continue to draw around it curiosity that cannot be
grati6ed an anxiety that cannot be aayed but in its
final contamination. The very magnitude Of the
crisis will sustain the suspense of the drama, until
the curtain falls upon the scene. No wonder, there
fore, that every arrival from Texas is watched with
some anxiety. No wonder that SO many specula-
tons are yet woven by its opponents--that it is
still the theme ofmany tongue, and the topic Of 80
many paragraphs in the newspapers
Within ten days--on Monday week, the 10th inst.
the Congress of Texas are to assemble, under the
proclamation Of the Executive. Their decision will
be witnessed by many an anxious spectator, and
proclaimed TO the Union by ten thousand tongues.
Can we doubt, however, the ultimate result May
we not say, with the old Hero of the Hermitage,
".7H is sqte?p What though the wings continue to
dilate upon the negotiations of Captain Elliott;
What though new story is started, that there may
be "a secret treaty of guaranty between England,
France, and Mexico, by which they have mutually
agreed to prevent annexation'", Who can entertain
any serious doubt Of the success Of the measure;
We hope firmly, and will continue to trust in the
result; but we have no later accounts Of the move
ments in that quarter, unless we may so consider
the recent speech of General Houston, delivered on
the 2sth May, at New Orleans.
General Houston is an extraordinary man. He
early participated in the revolution of Texas, COM
manded her troops, and achieved the victory of San
Jacinto. The most popular President which the
republic ever Acknowledgements by great energy Of
character-no man has enjoyed greater influence in
her councils and among her masses, than General
Sam Houston. The friend and the patron Of
Mr.. Jones, he has exerted great control over his
administration. But fears were entertained by the
friends of Texas, and in the same proportion some
hopes were expressed by her opponents, that Sam.
Houston was opposed to annexation, and that
itmigh still be defeated by his powerful interposi-
ton. All these calculations, however, are now at
an end. We have now understood that General
Houston has just proclaimed to the citizens OF
New Orleans his devotion to her cause. He as
sures the world still further that there is but one
sentiment in Texas; that President Jones will carry
out the measure in good faith; that Congress will
give their assent to it and that the deputies of the
people in convention will ratify the act with every
solemnity. The orator intimates that che had CO.
quehed little with England" and we confess that
after the impudent attempt of Commissioner Elliott
he should have been Tilted by the coquette. But
desire to let General Houston speak for himself or,
rather in the following rapid sketch Of his speech
we find it in the columns of the "New Orleans
bulletin" OF the 29th May. We subjoin to this
sketch some spirited strictarcs from the same jour
nal (iohig) on the remarks of the "London Times, "
and on the course of England
From the N. o. Bulletin
The that General Houston would address
the public the subject Texas annexation drew togeth,
er last evening overlooking meeting The Arcade has
not been thoroughly filled indeed any occasion since
the great Tex as meeting, thirteen months ago.
General Houston in opening his DISCOURSE complained
Of severe ndsposon that he felt bound to APP
pear and comply with his appointment far possible,
notwithstanding He then adverted to the fact that it
IN that hall that the first meeting had been held in behalf
othe Texans when struggling for their independence
and the first devised for their assistance and ex.
pressed his gratitude and that Of the country the
fold avors they had received from the people the United
States and especially from this city lie then gave sue
cnct and accurate outline OF the history of Texas
partmen of the Mexican confederacy and of the
stances and causes that led to its separation from that gov
eminent showing that no people had ever eyinced more
with their obligations than the Texans and that IL the
focible dissolution of the Mexican conisderacv and re-
peated attempts to subject them absolute and seap
pointed despotsm that finally drove the people of Texas
arms The charge so freqenty alleged against the people
oexa that they had emgrated hiher for the purpose
robbng Mexico OF her domnons and had refused to
Ply with the engagements which they had entered
American name.
Gen then skeched the history Of Texas since its cx.
sence as nation particularly with reference to vind
cation OF his administration recently terminated He al.
ded to various charges that had been against
nun OF bribery, corruption and other msdemeanors de-
caring that while he in Office he had degned
notice them and would not speak OF them further
country he found at the commencement ofhis admins
eon IN lsi utterly Impoverished without credit any
aud subject to frequent nroads by Mexico dsordered with
n and held in estimation abroad its present cond
non Gen n then spoke OF the great natural advantages
beauties ana attractions of Texas illustrating his remarks
with much humor ... s-s#
In conclusion Gen H. spoke Of the subject annexation
stating that he had shown his Partially for the by
voting iorit in 1885. and despbtchng Immediately his
accession to the presidency in that year special envoy
orng the subject before the cabinet at Washington The
SUBJECT remained before the cabinet he continued until
s when was thought to be contrary to true policy and
10 The dignity of Texas further mportune and the prop
Ssition was withdrawn The subject then sumbered until
was chosen to the presidency in ls4l when he in
Uhg the subject again before government Again, he
% Iexas was treated cavaerly and the proposition
moi pressed until Mr. Van Zandt became the Texian
cent IN the United States when he solicited instructions
esnblect of annexation and he referred to the for
er letter to Mr. Riley with directions to open negotia
"Vns, should a favorable opportunity occur.
WIN tins statement OF facts Gen said he would leave
e pubic TO infer whether he opposed to- in favor
shexaiion TWAS true he said, that he had coquetted
aue with Great Britain and made the United States
aous Of that power he possibly could and had
ne said, for the eagerness of the Texan Congress
passing and sending to this country declaration that
neenths Of the people ofTexas
ue ne would have operated the fears OF the Amer
can Senate that the prize would slip through their grasp
% procured the ratification Of the treaty last spring
mat assurance in their hands however he said the
ste could attend TO other matters that time and deal
WIN Texas Mt their leisure
ne Then stated that there exists hut sentiment in
and that In favor OF annexation; that he is perfect
sure me Texan executive, far he do il will
y out the measure in good aith that when Congress
ees they will give their TO the measure as the
mas already given hiss and that when the special
OF the people meet In convention in pursuance OF
n residents proclamation they win ratify the act " It'll
s9iemny and then the country will present an united
h ne sald there was opposition among the people
sure the President would not nor would he himself
mierpose one breath in its way
Gen III then alluded In yerv oraoee,l ,.ro, a., A., al,
oi ms present tour which once more 70 have an in
, VIEW WIN Gen Jackson before the death OF that illus.
Of h @ He then sat down amid the general cheer,
From the same
.ne VAIN expectation stimulated nv the aavices
Nere current here time ago and "a bich h.d -
Senul peen England ort