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in the possession of the Texans. The triumph of the patriots was complete, and the terrible chastisement inflicted upon the invader, taught him to treat with respect those who knew so well how to defend their rights. It is not easy to enslave men who have a just appreciation of their privileges, and possess the courage to defend them. No more gallant men ever unfurled their banners to the breeze, than the Texans who rallied around Houston and Rusk, at the battle of San Jacinto. They fought with the knowledge, that certain death followed in the path of defeat, yet they shrunk not from the trial, and so fearful was the collision, that the Mexican heart was appalled, and twice only during the eight succeeding years, did a Mexican force cross the Rio Grande, and then only to be driven ignominiously back. Texas emerged from the contest free and independent.*

* "Mexico may have chosen to consider, and may still choose to consider Texas as having been at all times since 1835, and as still continuing a rebellious province; but the world has been obliged to take a very different view of the matter. From the time of the battle of San Jacinto, in April, 1836, to the present moment, Texas has exhibited the same external signs of national independence as Mexico herself, and with quite as much stability of government, practically free and independent, acknowledged as a political sovereignty by the principal powers of the world; no hostile foot finding rest within her territory for six or seven years, and Mexico herself refraining for all that period from any further attempt to re-establish her own authority over that territory, it cannot but be surprising to find Mr. de Bocanegra, (the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico,) complaining, that for that whole period, citizens of the United States, or its Government, have been favoring the rebels of Texas, and supplying them with vessels, ammunition, and money, as if the war for the reduction of the province of Texas had been constantly prosecuted by Mexico, and her success prevented by these influences from abroad."—Mr. Webster, Secretary of State, July 8, 1842.

The people of Texas had given such evidence of their ability to maintain their independence of Mexico, that it was acknowledged, not only by the United States, but also by several of the principal powers of Europe. It was a fact well known to the Government and people of the United States previous to the annexation of Texas, that the inhabitants of that country claimed the Rio Grande as its western boundary. Upon all occasions, they had given evidence that such was their opinion. There was a provision in the constitution of Texas, authoriz ing a representation of the counties of Bexar and San Patricio. The first Congress of Texas passed an act, extending her jurisdiction over the country to the Rio Grande.* An act was also passed to incorporate the Texas railroad, navigation, and banking company, with the right of connecting the waters of the Rio Grande with the Gulf, by means of internal navigation. An act to raise revenue by impost duties, was also passed, and one of the collection districts commenced at the Rio Grande. An act was passed fixing the dividing line between the counties of Bexar and San Patricio.§ Other laws to the same effect were enacted.

The citizens of Texas had now passed through the different states of colonists, revolutionists, and independent freemen. A small band of men, inspired by an unconquerable love for liberty, had

*Law of Texas approved, December 19, 1836.

+ Law of 16th December, 136.

Law of June 12th, 1837.

Law of May 24, 1828. Law of the 21st December, 1838. Law, February 5th, 1840. January 14th, 1843. December 19th, 1843.

boldly encountered the trained bands of eight millions of people. Conduct more savage and unrelenting than was practised towards them, never disgraced the annals of Indian warfare. But the Texans were more terrible upon the battle field, than any foes which that mixture of the European, Indian and African race had yet attempted to subdue; and the results of one campaign taught them to fear a collision with men, who, although merciful in the moment of triumph, were still resistless in the shock of battle.

I will merely add, that there is no force in the assertion, that the Texans only acquired a title by conquest to that portion of Texas, lying this side of the Nueces. It surely was not necessary that they should maintain soldiers upon every square foot of the territory. It is only necessary to possess the ability to make good the usurpation at all times. That was certainly the case with the Texans, from the battle of San Jacinto; until the moment of annexation, no hostile foot found a resting-place within her borders.

The American colonies declared their independence of Great Britain, in 1776. The struggle continued more than seven years. Suppose that England, instead of making a treaty, had withdrawn from the contest, would not our title be as good to every part of the thirteen States, as to that portiou which was enriched by the blood of our revolutionary sires? And yet, how small a portion of that territory was trod by an American soldier.

CHAPTER V.

Independence of Texas.-She applies for admission into the Union.-Acquisition of territory by Mr. Jefferson.-Transfer of Texas to Spain by the Treaty of 1819.-Efforts of President Adams to have the title reconveyed. -Territory acquired while Mr. Webster was Secretary of State.-Efforts of England and France to prevent annexation.-Passage of the annexation resolutions.-Extension of our boundary.

I COME now to an examination of those events which resulted in the annexation of Texas to the United States. It is not true that the Government of this country ever sought to acquire that territory by conquest. On the contrary, all proper exertions were used in 1836, by the Administration then in power, to restrain the ardor of our people, who seemed determined to fly to the rescue of their brethren whose blood was watering the soil of Texas. The neutrality of our Government was preserved. This was not only the case, but to prevent any unjust accusations against its good faith, the application which Texas made, in a short time after the battle of San Jacinto, for annexation to this country, was rejected. At a general election in September, 1836, the citizens of Texas declared with great unanimity in favor of a union with the United States; and in November following the independence of that republic, authorized the ap

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pointment of a minister to accomplish that result. But all their propositions were rejected by the administration of President Jackson. And it was not until a sufficient number of years had elapsed, during which time the Texans had exhibited far more ability to maintain their independence, than the Mexicans themselves, that the question of the annexation of Texas was seriously agitated in the United States. It is a remarkable fact, that the territory which we had upon several occasions of fered to purchase from Mexico, she lost by her treacherous and unjustifiable conduct towards the citizens of Texas.

It was not left to the administration of Mr. Polk to originate the doctrine that our boundaries should be extended. Mr. Jefferson, by the treaty of 1803 with France, immeasurably advanced the interests of his country. This was unfortunately, to a considerable extent, impaired by the cession to Spain under the treaty of 1819; and no doubt, seeing the error committed by the cabinet of which he was a member, Mr. Adams, during the term of his presidency, made early and sincere endeavors to restore the boundaries of the United States to the Rio Del Norte. To accomplish this object, the constant exertions of his administration were employed. On the 26th of March, 1825, Mr. Clay, then Secretary of State, addressed a letter to Mr. Poinsett, our Minister at Mexico, in which he stated that the line of the Sabine approached too near our western mart, and suggested the Rio Del Norte in

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