rice.edu
I checked with our specialist of that era, Jean Carefoot, about this and her
reply (verbatim) follows. I hope this answers your question.
Nothing in the U.S. Congressional Joint Resolution which offered annexation to
Texas or in the Convention's agreement to accept the Joint Resolution's terms
said that Texas could seceed. The agreement DOES give Texas the right to split
its territory into four additional states of "convenient size" and in the
1970s, Texas legislators had fun proposing that Texas increase it U.S.
Senatorial presence by splitting. They argued that, if the U.S. rejected that
proposal, the rejection would nullify the terms of the Resolution and would
therefore nullify the acts proceeding therefrom. TEXAS MONTHLY did an article,
"Divide and Conquer" by Griffin Smith, Jr. in its January 1975 issue that
addresses the issue and has some fun with the potential consequences of either
the subdivision or restoration of Republican status. (Texas would have done
well in the national lineup in the mid-70s--maybe we should have tried it!)
Laura Saegert
State Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library
(512) 463-5480
lsaegert@tsl.texas.gov
tsha.utexas.edu
Question 6: Shortly after Texas independence in 1836, the citizens of the new Republic voted
to seek annexation by the United States, fearing another attack by Mexico. Strong opposition
emerged in the U.S. Congress, led by then congressman John Quincy Adams. In 1845, under
President James K. Polk, annexation was finally accomplished. What were the unique aspects
of the annexation?
a.Texas was able to keep its public lands
b.Texas retained the right to split into five states
c.Annexation was based on a joint resolution of Congress
d.The annexation led to the Mexican American War
e.All of the above
Answer. e. All of the above |
