Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-16
Secret History Of the Texas PlOt.

Gen. HousroS, the former Governor and
present u S, Senator from Texas, has written
a letter, unfolding in part the intrigue by which
annexation was brought about. II was written
in answer TO a letter Of Ex-Prcsidcnt TYLER
claiming the credit Of annexing Texas, and
thereby defeating what he alleged to be de.
sign by certain European powers Of cclonizing
Texas Gen. HoUsTos asserts that Mr. TYLKn
was h,mbugged. We copy part Of the letter
1IuErsvILLE tTExAsl, July Is, ie47.
| MY Dear Sir: Within few days have seen O
letter IN the Weekly Union Of the i2th ult- the
signature Of x.Presdent Tyler. nj were not for
some facts stated In the letter, demanding, con-
ccye, some notice from me, would not trouble you
with this communication or " the facts stated were
NOT material TO the truth Of history md the cllarac-
ter Of those who NJ the time were the chief function.
aries Of the Texan Government, should feel II less
incumbent on myself to solicit some explanation Of
the facts alleged. The statements emnnafing from
50 high and respectable source are well calculated
to enforce them upon the minds Of readers authen-
tic, and not ms matters arising from the misnppre-
1 hcnsion Of truth.
The Rx-Prcsident, when stating the reasons which
induced him to propose the subject Of annexation to
! Texas, says.
aNor was Il until / received authentic information
that other nations excrting all their efforts TO
induce a course Of action on the pan Of Texas, Ut
war rs firmly believed, with the permanent inter
es,s Of the United States that gave directions to
my lamenied friend Abel r upshur then Secretary
Of State, 10 brenk up and scatter to the winds the
web Of their intriguei, by direct proposition for
annexation"
II seems from this position assumed by Mr. Tyler,
that he either imagined the authorities Of Texas
were favorable to those ntrigues, and were willing
to compromise her rights and interests a nation,
OF that they could not perceive the force and effect
Of the Wsb rAich tooIifng aro'ad hT dssfIly -
Now, either inference would do injustice 10 hcrchar
acter The authorities Of Texas had relied for years
upon plain AMI funk proposition for annexation,
aud had hoped TO be met by a cordial and manly
acceptance. They were disappointed. Texas was
treated with GOODNESS reserve, palpabc discour-
ageIneni. In this condition Of our affnirS, common
sense, without uncommon sngacity suggested the
only feasible plan TO attain the desired object and
that was, TO erce je1lo,uy and aiDIa ne I0rf Of
lls oiiiciaas aasi iJls ~ H. Lgi-i Snfes IN rsia-
ton 10 N, future ooaaBsraf and Jiicai oHecous 81
TiE1s ur,A E1eJ-aH aafiaas- This was easily az
conplished 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 MISUNDERSTANDING
her to Frnncc and IN short time astounding dis
closures Of all these transactions would take place r
All these charges remained unooHiradicied in the
journals q Texas, and de s6sei all hat ooJd q
fsA9AoA1
asnrtcaod This begat excitement, which originated
phantasies and conjured up notions Of intrigucs,
which had existence only IN Imagination.
The facts, as well as the diplomatic correspond
enee Of Texas in all these matfcrs will sindicaie
those engaged in the administration Of the govern
msn,' as well as the rspresen'aiyes Of foreign ma
Mr. Tyler further says, in reference to the meas
ure Of annexation:
Nay, may 20 even further, and declare, before
the initiative was taken and when the preminaries
were nearly all arranged. their completion being
alone prevented by the death Of Mr. Upshur and the
appointment Of an adjunct commissioner to Mr. Van
zspdt; ~ T- I, 4. A.. =.
cicu had been inisrposcd 70 q conclusion Of the pr-
liinnaries, by the appointment OF an adjunct CON-
missioner, by Texas. No steps Werc authorized 10
ie taken by any agent the subject Of the propo-
sii'on- Previous TO the proposition BY Mr. Upshur,
through Mr. Murphy u. & Charge dAffaires. Mr.
Van ZAndt had been instructed to make known TO
the Government Of the United States that the prop
osiiion for annexation was no longer open to dis
cussi0nl
This, no doubt In connection with the proclarna.
ton Of an arInistice between Texas and Mexico,
corroborated the dHheniic information referred 10 BY
Mr. Tyler, and caused the direct proposition to be
made for annexation
Accusations have been so frequently made against
the authorities Of Texas indirectly, and against tho
representatives Of other governments directly that
A'S ~ ,c,' nyseu ihpeIau'ei! caiiea upon 70 avow
70 an VINO ieel an interest IN learning or embracing
ne rum ~ nearo 70 ms mailer, ihat n.re neter
W. AM mu'gse oo'"eeiea ~.h e1us and etAT poo
ers, nor was there eucT ANY formulation for s,ah
ehaTye Though often reitemied only in the feycrish
eAcnciHehi o. heated nancy, OF the msehevous de-
signs OF the wicked.
n Ss,,s and .la 20 ny mus sen IN .,ndlcano1
who sustained me through the period alluded 10. as
well the representatives Of other governments.
who rendered rs kindnesses without ever proposing
aught which could embarzass or degrade Texas. IN
the day Of her veriest tribulation
l am, truly, your friend and fellow citizen.
SAM. HOUSTON.
Col. /. +. HArcu Editor Texas BANNER
IT. ~.
~ 'nis 'eoer Air ifLkh mas responded, jus
tifying his course. We subioin extracts from il.
ms n mart Of tho b;s,o,,, If 10 ,r.r..o.;.,,.
VIZ
IN ,hkihg inc minatNe l was not IN the least con-
uohcu y he ieeinigsg the Texan Executive; nor
uiu any uihg which had proceeied from IL stimulate
me 70 aehon' Texas was surrounded by well known
s.no ,a exhausted BY long war her in
pa,aIyIed, ana her resources almost annihi-
h iAeu anu a. she haa repeatedly been repelled in
er advances 20 the government OF the United States
va na'uraiy eoncinaeu mat she would look else
mheie ,or succor ana Tor AID. The Executive of
iexas mad tined annexation and failed: il had not
9Dtaihea recognition OF Independence by Mexico.
What other expedient remained but TO make the
utSt E,sr