New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-08-28
Gen. Houston's Leuer-The History OF An
bexRiion.

q letter Ia the Weekly Union Of the 18th ult over
the signature Of Ex-President Tyler. II II were
not for some facts stated in the letter demanding
as conceive. some notice from me, / would not
trouble you with this communication; or, IL tire
facts stated were hot material to the truth Of his
tory and the character Of those who at the time
were the chief f1nctionsries Of the Texan Govern
ment, should feel it less incumbent on myself TO
solicit some explanation Of the facts alleged. The
statements emanating from 20 high and respects-
bic source are well calculated 70 enforce them upon
the minds Of readers as authentic. and not as mat
tiers arising from the misapprehensiOn Of truth.
The exPresident, when stating the reasons
which induced him TO propose the subject Of An
nexatlon 10 Texas, among others, says:
Nor II until received Authentic information thst
other nations exertDg all their efforts TO induce
Of action the part ofTexss, at war, az firmly
believed with the permanent interests Of the United
States that gave directions TO my lsmented friend
Abel Upshur then Secretary of State 10 break and
scatter the winds the web Of their n,rgues BY d.
rect proposition for Annexation"
II seems from this position assumed by Mr. Iy-
Ter that he either imagined the authorities ofTexas
were favorable TO those intngues and were will
ing 10 compromise her rights and interests as ma
ton that they could not perceive the force and
effect Of the 1reb chtck WGs nearing around her des
tinyl Now, either inference would do injustice to
her character. The authorities of Texas had relied
for years upon plain and frank proposition for an
manly acceptance. They were disappointed. Tex
as was treated with coldness reserve, or palpable
announcement In this condition of our affairs
common sense, without uncommon sagacity sug
gested the only feasible plan to attain the desired
object and that was 10 excite Jealousy and alarm
on the part Of the politicians and people Of the Uni
ted States in relation 70 the future commercial and
political connection of Texas with European ma
tons This was easily accompllshed-by treating
with silence all the charges which were made by
editors of various newspapers Ia the United states
The Chief Magistrate of Texas was charged
with treason selling Texas TO Eng land-sub-
sidizing her to France and in a short time as
founding disclosures Of all these transactions
would take place All these charges remained
uncontradicted by the journals of Texas, and the
effect was all that could be desired Jealousy TO-
ward England and France was awakened. This
begat excitement, which originated phantasies and
cODured up notions oil Intngues, which mad exist
ence only In Imagination.
The facts as well as the diplomatic correspond
ence of Texas in all these matters, will vndicate
those engaged in the administration Of the Gov
eminent, as well as the representatives Of foreign
nations.
Mr. TYLER farther saws In reference to the meas
ure OF Annexation; NAY, may go even farther
and declare, before the initiative was taken, and
when the preliminaries were nearly all arranged,
their COM letion being alone preventedby the death
of Mr.. Upshur, and the appointment OF an adjunct
Commissioner TO Mr.. Van Zandt, by Texas" &c-
From this il might readily be inferred that obstacles
had been interposed 10 a conclusion Of the prelim-
inaries, by the appointment OF an adjunct Commas
sioner. by Texas. No steps were authorized to be
taken by any agent on the subject Of the PROPOSE
ton. Previous to the proposition by Mr. Upshur,
through Mr.. Murphy. U. s. Charge dAiaires Mr..
Van Zandt had been instructed 10 make known TO
the Government of the United States that the pro-
position for Annexation no longer open TO DIS
cussion
This no doubt, in connection with the procama-
ton of an armstice between Texas and Mexico,
corroborated by the authentic information referred
TO by Mr. Tyler and caused the direct proposition
20 be made for annexation.
In December. 1871, the Executive Of Texas
found the country surrounded by and involved In
the most intricate and perilous difficulties. To re-
deem the nation it was necessary to accomplish
one of three objects, and he designed bis plans &C
cordingiy. His first object was TO obtain annexa
tion. II in that he did succeed his next Vas 70
secure the independence Of Texas by the recogni
zion of Mexico. and If he should fail in these the
third was TO form a treaty with some power, defen
sive against Mexico. In advancing his policy, his
first NOV ement was to send a minister (Mr. Reilly
to the United States, with instructions to pre-
sent 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
manner by MI. hcly, out met Uy encouragement
on the part OF the Government of the United States
In 1912 Mr.. Rely resigned. and Mr. Van Zend'
was sent ON in bis stead. when the proposition fol
annexation was renewed. The renewal OF the
proposition was heard, and met with habitua apa
thy About this time the causes which 1 have
alluded to began TO operate, while there were
means used which infused into them new lie
The success of the measure Of annexation depend
ed upon the internal political condition OF the United
States, and not upon any intrigues OF foreign pow
ers. or of Texas.
The Executive of Texas was not moved by the
"direct proposition for annexation but by the
pledges given to him by Mr. Murphy, Charge d Al
flares of the United States. Before an adjunct
Commissioner was appointed by the President
pledges were demanded by him OF Mr.. Murphy
based upon Mr. Upshurs letter, that military ant
naval force of the United States, sufficient for the
defence of Texas should be placed at the dlsPosi
ton Of the President, and held subject to his or
ders This was as far as Mr.. Murphy felt autho
rized to go in the matter Upon this, the Execu
tive of Texas waived ether demands which were
that In the event Of failure on the part OF the
Government of the United States, 10 consummatt
annexation, after negotiations were once opened
between the two Governments, she should be bound
to guarantee the independence OF Texas, or ente
into treaty defensive against Mexico These de
mands were waived for the present, with the as
surance that previous to opening negotiations a
Washington City. these pledges should be given L
Texas, through her Commissioners, or the matter
was 10 rest nothing less than perfect guaranty
for the security of Texas would be satisfactory L
the President
In November, 1912, the United States, Englsn,
and France had all been invoked by Texas. and re
quested to act jointly, or severally in producing
peace between Texas and Mexico Texas ioun'
these powers all equally well disposed to leave he
TO her fate, rather than risk anything IN her behal
On the part of Texas this looked like fair dealing
though she were not dealt fairly with by others
This certainly left 'rc6 Of intrigue 10 scatter
the riads.
The object of all men should be TO reprehend 1
others what is wrong in itself in truth to IN
pute whatever deserves rebuke; but 10 chsrs
either nations or individuals with faults or crime
which do not exist, because it is palatable to
morbid taste which may prevail for time, Is ne
suited to the intelligence Of the age.
II affords me pleasure so far as am conneote
with the transactions Of that day to assert that
was delighted when Mr.. Tyler took the othcii
initiative" in the measure of Annexation.
thought his bold and manly course in assuming
Just and proper responsibility was such as shoul
Characterize the head Of great nation.
hov hapn 40 70 N ada a y