William Carey Crane

“ Large quantities of silver and merchandise, with caravans of horses and mules, came into Texas. Good feeling growing up continued to increase. Mexicans and Texans were alike anxious for peace. The people of Mexico had nothing to gain in battle, and had the renewal of hostilities been put to vote, a lasting peace would have blessed both countries.
Houston's administration of his first term in the Presidency was eminently successful and profitable to the country. Steadily had the proposition for annexation been pressed upon the U. S. Government at Washington. ”

“ Houston show the exalted powers of a profound statesman in a more remarkable degree than in the policy which governed his intercourse with the Indian tribes occupying the territory of Texas. As a population, they then outnumbered all the inhabitants of Texas. ”

“ Houston's watchfulness that no invasions of any kind occurred. The people confided in the administration, just recovered from the shock and devastation of a powerful invading army; environed with Mexican and savage foes, they presented the beautiful spectacle of an industrious and increasing population in the quiet and successful prosecution of the arts of peace. A proclamation, printed and circulated in English and Spanish, announced trade and commerce between Mexico and Texas. Trade sprang up rapidly. ”

“ In the struggle of Texas for freedom. Gen. Jackson deeply sympathized. After independence had been achieved on the battle-field, he did not doubt that some day Texas would be annexed to the United States; for wise reasons he did not express such an opinion, and would not press recognition upon Congress. He used the following language in his message to Congress, December 5, 1836, after presenting most satisfactory reasons: "Our character requires that we should neither anticipate events nor attempt to control them." ”

“ He counseled and advised Houston in his most important movements, even to the Fabian policy of retreating before Santa Anna to the field of San Jacinto, and if driven from there, to retreat to the Sabine, to the vicinity of the United States troops then stationed in Louisiana. Gen. Jackson exhibited remarkable caution in dealing with the matter of annexation; he dispatched, in the summer of 1836, a confidential agent to Texas, who explored the Territory, rigorously investigated the administration of its government, associated with the people, and observed the character of society ”

“ It was not strange, therefore, that these men of the period should yield restive obedience to the high supremacy of constitutional law. AngloSaxons have ever been examples of a law-abiding people, but the elements which have made them the supporters of law and order have also made them most lawless frontiersmen. ”