William Carey Crane

“ Believing, as the Executive did at the commencement of the present session, that the subject of annexation was in the best position in which Texas could place it, he did not allude to it in his general message, apprehending that any public action, taken either by the Executive or the Congress, would only have a tendency to embarrass the subject. Action must now be taken by the United States, and we must now watch and meet their disposition toward us. If we evince too much anxiety it will be regarded as importunity, and the voice of supplication seldom commands, in such cases, great respect. ”

“ If nothing else were effected than a treaty for defense, it would secure to Texas a position that would forever bid defiance to our Mexican enemy. It would be as important to us, in fact, as the recognition of our independence by Mexico. ”

“ It would create distrust on their part toward us, because the opponents of our interests would allege there was no stability in our purposes, and therefore unsafe in other nations to cultivate very intimate relations with us, or even to maintain those which now so fortunately exist. They might apprehend that after the lapse of a few more years, Texas having acquired increased importance from their friendly aid and good offices, would be induced again by the agitation of the same question in the United States to apply for admission into the Union, and that by possibility it might be effected. ”