Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-01-08
Gen. sam Houston.

On the 18th of last month, some eighty Of the most
respectable citizens Of Galveston, Texas addressed
letter to General NJ. B. Lamar requesting his opinion
of the course of Gen. Sam Houston, relative to the
annexation question; his is direct and point
ed and exposes the character and movements Of Hous-
ton as fully as it shows his meanness in attempting
make political capital by denying his former measures
We give the following extract which forms the
clusion of Gen. Lamar's reply.
II useless to pile 0ssa on Pelion. If the facts and
ressonings already sdduced insufficient satisfy the
reader of the fasehsod OF Gen. Houstons declaa-
On that all this apparent opposition to annexation, was
only intended TO deceive the British Minister fear that
his mind is upon this question: mPeroas truth and it
would be useless urge upon him any further consdeTa
tons. Ii, however, there is patent examiner Of evil
dence, who is slow in receiving conviction yet willing
when fairly convinced. to surrender his prejudces and
passions to the sacred Of TRUTH to him will address
argument-or rather will present Of the
past arguments in shape and then the matter,
in the elegant and perspcuous language Of the
Excellency to ITS contingencies. let then for little
WHILE suppose that Gen. Houston to be aaigned BY Capt.
Elliott upon the charge of insncerty. Suppose the min.
lister TO say him Sir, you assured upon your
official honor that you opposed the annexation of
Texas to the United States and you desired notify
my government of the fact. Why then, have you since
declared that correspondence and intercourse upon this
subject cOoHefry your part Against the
bis honor the General might very justly and trumphanty
reply, in the following language. He might say the
minister Sir, you know very well that this declaration
exorted from me by the dangerous position in which
was placed by my fidelity you Had acknowledged
to the truth and validity Of my pledges your govern
meni, il would have involved me in treason to my
people To gloss them therefore, under the plea Of
coquetry my only alternative. II not done in
malice to you, but in safety myself That have acted
in good faith to your government you have every
IN believe. and have n In did mt
my Cabinet oppose tie annexation Did ray press
my partsans, my foreign ministers, my officers of govern
ment and all others whom had any CONTROL DO the
same Did not under your advice, issue my proclama-
ton of Armstice and send my commissioners Mex
leo Did also DIR. Jones be elected to the
Presidency for the ayowed purpose of having my pledges
you carried out And has he done so to the full
of his abilities Did he furnish you with the
basis of the Treaty with Mexico, Of the provisions Of
which expressly denounced annexation Did be de-
lay the calling Of Congress until your return with that
Treaty, and he received IT, did be not issue
Proclamation OF Armisce, in which he distinctly indi
Gated his preference Of independence 10 annexation And
did not throughout this PERIOD whilst the whole country
clamorous for nexaon, msntsn sulen silence,
though strongly appealed TO, by the dying Hero Of
New Orleans, to out in favor Of What stronger
proof you require Of my fidelity defy you
the first act that have committed in favor of the
measure or the first omitted, which it was in my
power employ against il, without utter ruin myself
What then becomes of your charge against me Produce
your evidence. Do you hope to convict me by my own
confession You know well do the necessity Of
my regulating the past: and you cannot oppose my
torted acknowledgment to the long train of consistent
conduct which has come under your observation.
Actions speak louder than words; let be judged by
them
And now, gentlemen. suppose Gen. Houston to
make such speech this the British Minister in reply
to his mputation-what could the minister offer
He would be compelled acknowledge the force and
dy of the argument, and withdraw his charge And if
these facts and ressonngs sufficient to produce
vction, when urged by Gen. Houston himself in what
spect are their weight and authority diminished by their
being urged in his behalf by anotherl
And now gentlemen, what are the conclusions to be
drawn from this conducts No enters into intrgues
without some object either public private What them
the object of Sam Houston in these disgracefuI
goations with the British Minister and the Mexican Gov
erumentl He is pleased denomnate these negotiations
by the gentle appestion of cequetry. What then.
the object of his coquetry What public good did he
and Mexico intended This he denies. Was the per.
manent independence of the country the object This
he also Denies What then, was his objecti Like q
criminal who rushes vainly against the bars Of his prison.
Gen. Houston imprisoned in triple walls by his
rgues endeavors escape by desperate plunge the
door Of annexation. But that door is barred against him
with fastening which he cannot rend. What, then,
the object Of his gentle coquety with Great Britain and
Mexico In the absence of all public reasons,
left conjecture the private IL he has received
from the British Minister from the Mexican Govern
ment any personal favor the reward of his negotiations
with hem then is he double traitor-6rst to his coun-
try, and then them-and merits a double execration
But on the other hand if be has received from these quar-
ters which have been redeemed then he
in the miserable condition of disappointed traitor, who
recriminates for revenge.
Such gentlemen, has been the conduct of Gen. Hous-
ton on the question Of annexation. In all the phases of
his and elaborate perdy, it is bat epome of
his ife The browning ac-consstent only with himself
lis the climax of sudsciy Does he blush the expos
ure of his treason No! He makes merit of his guilt
and turning the people he has dlshonored il in mock
cry of all human virtue he demands the patriots reward
for the traitors crime.
Your fellow-citizen,
MIRABEAU b. LAMAR