Westward extension, 1841-1850, by George Pierce Garrison.

i8371

TEXAN QUESTION

93

for an effort at annexation by act of Congress; 1 andr, 15
the report of the Senate committee of federal relations, to which the part of the message concerning
Texas was referred, gives evidence of the same expectation.2 The alternative method, however, is
more definitely set forth in the instructions given
December 3I, 1836, by J. P. Henderson, acting secretary of state of Texas, to Memucan Hunt, who
was just leaving to join Wharton at Washington.3
Henderson says:
"In the event that there should be doubts entertained whether a treaty made with this government
for its annexation to the United States would be
ratified by a constitutional majority of the Senate
of the United States you are instructed to call the
attention of the authorities of that government to
the propriety and practacability of passing a law by
both houses (in which it would require a bare majority) taking in this country as a part of her Territory, this law could be passed, (provided Congress
has the power to do so) based upon the vote of the
people of Texas at the last election, but in framing
such an act great care should be used in order to
secure all the rights of Texas and its citizens as fully
as you are instructed to have them attended to in
any treaty which may be made, if such an act is
passed you can give that government the fullest assurance that it will be approved by this government
1 Niles' Register, LI., 229. 2 Ibid., 277.
3 MS. Diplomatic Correspondence of Texas, file 701.