Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-28
THE "ANNExATIoN."
A LETTER FROM GEs. SAM. HOUSTON.

HusrsvrLrE, (TExAs,) JULr 10, ls47.
Mr. DEAR SIR; Within few days have seen letter in
the Weekly Union of the 18th uImo the signature
ExPesdent TrLEn If it were not for some facts stated in
the letter. demanding, conceive some notice from me,
would not trouble you with this communication or the facts
stated not material the truth of history the charac-
ter those who at the time were the chief nconaes Of the
Texan Government should feel il less incumbent myself
to solicit some explanation of the facts alleged The
mens emanang from SO high and respectable source,
calculated to enforce them upon the minds Of readers
authentic and not as matters arising from the Misrepresentation
of truth.
The ExPresident when stating the which induced
him propose the subject of annexation to Texas amongst
others says
"Nor was it until received authentic information that
other nations were exeng all their efforts to induce
OF action on the part OF Texas war; firmly believed with
the permanent interests of the United States that gave d
recons to my amented hiend Abel p Upshur then Secre
tay OF State to break and the winds the web Of
their ntrigues BY direct proposal for annexation"
1t seems, from this position assumed by Mr.. TYLER that
he either imagined the authorities Of Texas favorable
those ngues, and were willing compromise her rights and
interests as naon that they could perceive the force
and effect of the ceb hi oeaug around her destiny
Now either Inference wouddo injustice her character The
authorities of Texas had relied for years upon plain and
cordial and manly acceptance They disappointed.
Texas was treated with codnes reserve papabe dscour
agement lnhisconditon of affairs common sense with
out uncommon sagacy, suggested the only feasible plan
attain the desired object and that was excite jealousy and
alarm the part of the politicians and people of the United
States In relation to the future commercial and political
nexions of Texas with European nations This easily
accomplished, by treating with silence all the charges which
made by editors of various newspapers in the United
States.
The Chief Magistrate Of Texas charged with tea-
son-selng Texas to her to France
and in short time Astounding disclosures of all these
transactions would take place All these charges remained
uncontradcted by the journals of Texas and the effect was
all that could be desired Jealousy towards England and
France awakened This begat excitement which origi
mated phanases and conured up notions of nrgues which
had existence only in imagination.
The facts, well the diplomatic correspondence Of
Texas in all these matters will vndcate those engaged in the
administration of the Government well the representa-
tves of foreign nations.
Mr. Tyler further says, in reference the measure oS an
nexation:
Nay, may go further and declare, before the I'M
lave taken and when the preminares nearly all
arranged their completion being alone prevented by the death
OF Mr. Upshur, and the appointment of adjunct commits
soner to Mr.. Van Zandt by Texas" &c.
From this might readily be inferred that obstacles had
been neposed to conclusion of the premnaries by the
appointment OF adjunct commissioner by Texas No steps
authorized to be taken by any agent the subject of
the proposition Previous to the proposition by Mr. Upshur
through Mr. Murphy United States Charge AIares, Mr..
Van Zandt had been instructed to make known the Gov
eminent of the United States that the proposition for ane-
alton longer open discussion This no doubt in
connexion with the proclamation Of armsce between
Texas and Mexico coroboted by the authentic information
referred to by Mr. Tyler caused the direct proposition to be
made for annexation.
In December, ls4l the Executive of Texas found the
country surrounded and involved in the intricate and
perous difficulties. To redeem the nation it was necessary
to accomplish of three Objects and he designed his plans
accordingly His first object obtain if in
that he did succeed his secure the ndepend
of Texas by the recognition of Mexico and he should
fail in these the third to form treaty with Power
defensive against Mexico. In advancing his policy, his first
movement to send Minister r. Reilly to the United
States with instructions to present to the Government at
Washington the subject Of annexation which had lain DOR
man for three years Immediately preceding that period These
instructions carried out in the best by Mr. Reilly
but met by Encouragement the part of the Government of
the United States In ls42 Mr. Reilly resigned and Mr.
Van Zandt in his stead when the proposition for
annexation renewed The renewal of the proposition
was heard and met with habua apathy About this time
the which have alluded to began operate while
there used which infused into them new life The
Of the Of annexation depended upon the in
terna political condition Of the United States and not upon
any ntrigues Of foreign Powers Of Texas.
The Executive Of Texas moved by the direct
proposition for annexation but by the pledges given to him
by Mr. Murphy, Charge dAares Of the United States Be-
fore adjunct commissioner appointed by the President
pledges demanded by him Of Mr. Murphy based upon
Mr. Upshurs letter, that military and naval force Of the
United States sufficient for the defence Of Texas should be
placed the disposition Of the President and held subject 10
his orders This far Mr. Murphy felt authorized
to in the matter. Upon this, the Executive of Texas
waived other demands, which were, that in the event of
failure the part of the Government of the United States to
consummate annexation, after negotiations were once opened
between the two Governments she should be bound TO guar
any the independence of Texas, enter into treaty de-
enve against Mexico These demands were waived for the
present. with the that previous opening negoa
tons at Washington city these pledges should be given to
Texas through her commissioners the to rest
as nothing less than perfect guaranty for the security Of
Texas would be satisfactory to the President.
In November, 1912, the United States, England and |
France had all been invoked by Texas and requested act
jointly severay in producing peace between Texas and
Mexico. Texas found these Powers all equally well dspos
ed to leave her to her fate rather than risk any thing her
behalf On the part Of Texas this looked like fair dealing
fairIy hy o,bers 1bs