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Notes on Annexation - Vide Newspapers & other documents
March 10th words crossed out
Whatever the plottings of the opposition, war party or factions in Texas may have been relative to the annexation of Texas to the United States, upon the subject all was pretty quiet in Texas until the Autumn of last year, when it was whispered about that even President Houston was in favour of that measure. The reason given by the Presidents friends, was that altho an armistice was expected from Mexico, peace with that country, preserving the nationality of Texas was not expected, although Great Britain & France were using their friendly mediation with Mexico for that purpose; & it was generally thought that the United States would assist in settling the question for Texas. But many believed that the
views & intentions of the U. States although intimidating Mexico, was really to have Texas attached^ to herself Now there commenced an excitement in the ^newspapers of the U. States favorable to annexation & a few land-holders & speculators seemed to think that with the change, Emigration would flock in, they would sell their lands & make fortunes. But the blow came upon those who had fought, suffered, &^had lived in Texas for years, when it was whispered that President Houston was in favor of annexation - reasons were offered viz. that he saw that there would be new difficulties with Mexico, that she would not, without^being coerced by Britain, or the U. States acknowledge the independence, that Houston the hero of Sn Jacinto did not wish to risk another campaign or suffer others to command, & that he wished to wind up the affair by annexation. It was known that very influential persons in the U. States were in^private & probable communication with Houston upon the matter. General Murphy U. S. Charge'd'affairs is known to be very active, a small American Man of War sent to Galveston to facilitate the carrying of dispatches &c - moreover out comes the government paper with - crossed out informing the nation that, it will not oppose annexation &c -