MEASURES FOR THE DEFENCE OF TEXAS. 53 of State will have learned, the Mexican government is resolved to declare war as soon as it receives intimation of such an act.” Though the treaty of annexation was defeated, the subject was favourably entertained by the people, who feared that the fertile province offered to them would, by a union with England, become in some measure a rival. The following extract from a letter of General Jackson of the date of January 1st, 1845, shows the importance of the subject: "I have just received from Major Donelson, a letter dated at Washington, in Texas, from which I would infer, that if Congress expect to annex Texas to the United States, they must act speedily, or it will be found to be beyond our grasp. The rejection of the advances of Texas has given offence to some, and a handle to others to press the liberal propositions of England upon the Texans, together with the splendid view of Texas independent, growing into a vast republic, in time to embrace not only the limits of Texas, but all the domain once Montezuma's. This view, to ambitious aspirants, added to the guaranties of England of her independence, and the loan of large sums for ten years, based upon a treaty that English manufactures shall be free of duty, is gaining a party in Texas. General Houston is still the leading star; and his influence alone can be counted upon to resist the present influence of England and its increasing power. How long this influence of England can be successfully withstood in Texas, is becoming a very questionable matter. I have taken a view of the whole ground, giving to all information its due weight, and I say to you that, unless Congress acts upon this subject promptly, Texas will be beyond our grasp, and lost to the United States for ever, unless regained by the sword. What will be the situation of our country, with British manufactures introduced duty free into Texas? Comment is unnecessary. "I hazard nothing in saying, that, if the present Congress do not act promptly upon this subject, the next will not have the power. The consent of Texas cannot then be obtained. Great Britain will have laid the lion's paw upon her, and bound her by treaty." During the session of 1844-45, the subject engaged the attention of Congress, and on the 1st of March, 1845, a joint resolution passed the two houses of Congress annexing Texas to the United States. We extract the principal part of the resolution, as we shall have occasion to refer to it hereafter : : "Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled : That Congress doth consent that the territory properly included within and rightfully belonging to the Republic of Texas, may be erected into a new state, to be called the State of Texas, with a republican form of government to be adopted by the people of said republic by deputies in convention assembled, with the consent of the existing government, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the states of this Union. "Section 1st. And be it further resolved, That the foregoing consent of Congress is given upon the following conditions, to wit:— “First. Said state to be formed subject to the adjustment by this government of all questions of boundary that may arise with other governments; and the constitution thereof, with the proper evidence of its adoption by the people of the said Republic of Texas, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, to be laid before Congress for its final action, on or before the 1st of January, 1846." Immediately after learning that this resolution was signed by the President of the United States, General Almonte, the Mexican Minister, protested against it in the name of his government, demanded his passports, and left the country. As soon as the annexation of Texas became known in Mexico, Señor Cuevas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the 23d of MEASURES FOR THE DEFENCE OF TEXAS. 55 March addressed a long memorial to the Chambers upon the subject, in which he stated his reliance upon the interference of foreign powers; at the same time he notified the American Minister, Mr. Shannon, that all diplomatic intercourse between Mexico and the United States was at an end. He addressed also a circular to the ministers resident of all the foreign powers, in which he protested against the injustice of the United States, and announced the intention of Mexico to resist it; and on the 22d of March sent despatches to the governors of the different departments throughout the republic, asking their assistance to sustain the government and maintain the rights of the nation. On the 7th of April, the joint committee of the Mexican Congress to whom the memorial on the affairs of Texas had been referred, made a report, in which they asserted their right to Texas, and the duty to take up arms for its recovery; and made the most urgent appeals to the patriotism of the people to prevent its usurpation. Meanwhile the American government, satisfied that Texas would accept the terms of annexation, had taken precautionary measures for the protection of the country. An efficient military force was concentrated on the frontier of Texas, under the command of Brigadier-General Zachary Taylor, who had distinguished himself in the Florida war; and a strong squadron under Captain Stockton was ordered to the Gulf of Mexico, with instructions to co-operate with the army. By a despatch of the 21st of March, 1845, General Taylor, then at Fort Jesup, in Louisiana, was ordered to hold his troops in readiness to march into Texas upon notification by the Department of War. Subsequent to this, on the 28th of May, the Secretary of War reiterated the above instructions as follows: "SIR: I am directed by the President to cause the forces now under your command, and those which may be assigned to it, to be put into a position where they may most promptly and effi |