The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 51
434 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Mississippi and the Independence of Texas
General Huston later became the law partner of S. S. Prentiss
in New Orleans. When the question of Texas annexation became
a burning issue in 1844, a Democratic journal recorded that Hus-
ton solemnly declared he would vote the Texas annexation ticket
for the Presidency, and would moreover take the stump in Mis-
sissippi in favor of that policy.46 Huston proved a. more far-
sighted political seer than might have been expected. In June,
1847, he wrote that "Gen'l Taylor will be the next President in
all probability," provided he kept clear of old party questions and
avoided disturbing the tariff.47 In 1850 there appeared from the
pen of Huston an interesting pamphlet entitled "The Military
Strength of the Southern States, and the Effects of Slavery
Therein, Addressed to the Southern Convention." The author's
conclusion was that the South had no cause for alarm from its
slave population or from the abolitionists.
Writing to General Quitman from Natchez in that same year,
THuston expressed the conviction that the issue involved was se-
cession or submission; he was opposed to a. general Southern con-
vention and favored State action. "Let Georgia or Mississippi
take the lead and secede. And this brings the necessity of the
General Government using force-and gradually other States will
join." He agrees with Quitman that the North will momentarily
suspend aggression, but only for the purpose of gaining strength.
"Now my dear General is the time for decision and nerve, and
we must not be discouraged by opposition. The destinies of na-
tions cannot be changed without a struggle." Causes were at
work which would unite the South.18
There was another Mississippian destined to attain eminence
in the political history of his State to whom the call of Texas
came in a peculiarly appealing manner. The response was indi-
cative of an ardent and a generous nature. That man was John
A. Quitman. Writing to his brother from Monmouth under date
of October 17, 1835, he says: "There is war in Texas. Were I
without family, I would repair there immediately. Freemen who
are struggling for their violated rights should not be left to strug-
' entinal and Expositor, June 8, 1844.
"4MS. Claiborne Correspondence.
48Ibid.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918, periodical, 1918; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101073/m1/57/?rotate=90: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.