Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-09-08
THE ssANNExATION.n
ALETTER FROM GENERAL HOUSTON,
hurrsv1ILE, Texas. July is. ls47

seen letter in the Weekly Union OF the 9Th
ultiaso over the signature Of Elk President Ty-
Ter. II it where not for some facts stated in
the letter, demanding, as conceive, some no.
tice from me, would not. trouble you with this
communication; or, if the facts stated were not
material to the truth Of history and the charac-
ter ofthose who at the time were the chief
functionaries of the Texan Government should
feel it less incumbent on myself to solicit some
explanation of the facts alleged. The state
ments, emanating from so high and respectable
source, are we'll calculated to enforce them
upon the minds of readers as authentic, and not
as matters arising from the misapprehension of
truth.
The ex-President, when stating the reasons
which Induced him to propose the subject of
annexation to TeXss, amonst others says:
sNor was it until received authentic infor-
nation that other nations were exertng all
their efforts to induce a course of action on the
part of Texas at war, as firmly believed, with
the permanent interests of the United States,
that | gave directions to my lamented friend,
Abel p. Upshur, then Secretary of State, to
break up and scatter to the winds the web of
their intrigues by direct proposal for aunexa-
tion."
1t seems, from this position assumed by Mr.
Tyler, that be either imagined the authorities
of Texas were favorable to those intrigues, and
were willing to compromise her rights and in
terests as a nation, or that they could not per-
ceive the force and effect of the teeb arhich tcas
sceauing around her destiny Now either in
ference would do injustice to her character.
The authorities of Texas had relied for years
a plan and frank proposition for annexation,
and had hoped to be met by cordial and man
ly acceptance. They were disappointed. =
Texas was treated with GOODNESS, reserve, or
palable encouragement. In this condition of
our affairs, common sense, without uncommon
sagacity, suggested the only feasible plan to
attain the desired object; and that was, to ex-
cite jealousy and alarm on the part of the poll
ticians and people of the United States in re-
iation to the future commercial and political
connexions of Texas with European nations.
This was easily accomplished, by treating with
silence all the charges which were made by ed
itors OF various newspapers, in the United
States.
The Chief Magistrate of Texas was charged
with treason'-selling Texas to England
subsiding her to France . and in short time
Astounding disclosures" of all these transac-
tons would take place! All these charges re-
main uncontradicted by the journals of Texas,
and the effect was all that could be desired
jealousy towards England and France was a
Weakened. This begat excitement, which orig
mated phantasies and conjured up notions of
intrigucs which had existence only in magma
tion.
The facts. as well as the diplomatic cores
pondence of Texas in all these matters, will
vindicate those engaged in the administration
of the Government, as the representatives of
foreign nations.
Mr.. Tyler further saws, in reference to the
measures of annexation
"Nay, may 60 even further. and declare,
before the initiative was taken. and when the
preliminaries were nearly all arranged, their
completion being alone prevented by the death
of Mr.. Upshur, and the appointment of an ad-
junct commissioner to Mr.. Van Zandt by Tex
us, sc.
From this it might readily be inferred that
obstacles had been interposed to conclusion
of the preliminaries, by the appointment OF an
adjunct commissioner by Texas. No steps
were authorized to be taken by any agent on
the subject of the proposition. Previous to the
proposition by Mr.. Upshur, through Mr.. MUIR
ply, United States Charge d Affaires, Mr.. Van
Zandt had been instructed to make known to
the Government of the United States that the
proposition for anueration tcas no longer open
to discussion! This, no doubt, in connexion
with the proclamation of an armistice between
Texas and Mexico, corroborated by the authen-
tic information referred to by Mr.. Tyler, caused
the direct proposition to be made for annexa
tion.
In December, 1871, the Executive of Texas
found the country surrounded by and involved
IN the most intricate and perilous difficulties
10 redeem the nation, it was necessary to
accomplish one of three objects, and he designed
his plans accordingly. His first object was to
obtain annexation; if in that he did not succeed
his next was to secure the independence of Tex |
rs by the recognition of Mexico and, if he |
should fail in these, the third was to form
treaty with some Power defensive against Mex
leo. In advancing his policy, his first move
ment was to send Minister Mr.. Reilly to
the United States, with instructions to present |
TO the Government at Washington the subject |
of annexation, which had lain dormant for three |
years Immediately preceding that period. These
instructions were carried out in the best man
ner by MIR. Reilly. but met by Encouragement
on tie part of the Government of the United
States. In 1912 Mr.. Reilly resigned and Mr..
Van Zandt was sent on his stead, when the
proposition for annexation WINS renewed. The
renewal of the proposition was heard, and met
with habitual apathy About this time the
CAUSES which have alluded to began to oper-
ate, while there were means used which infused
into them new life. The success of the meas
ure of annexation depended upon the internal
political condition of the United States, and not
upon any intrigues of foreign Powers or of
Texas.
The Executive Of Texas was not removed by
the "direct proposition for annexation" but by
the pledges given to him by Mr.. Murphy,
Charge dAffaires of the United States. Be-
fore an adjunct commissioner was appointed by
the President pledges were demanded by him
of Mr.. Murphy, based upon Mr.. Upshar's let
ter, that a military and naval force of the Uni
ted States, sufficient for the defence of Texas,
should be placed at the disposition of the Pres
ident, and held subject to his orders. This was
as far as Mr.. Murphy felt authorized to go in
the matter. Upon this, the Executive of Tex
as waived other demands, which were, that, in
the event of a failure on the part of the Govern
ment of the United States to consumate annex
alton, after negotiations were once opened be-