"To secede from the Union and set up another government would cause war. If you go to war with the United States, you will never conquer her, as she has the money and the men. If she does not whip you by guns, powder, and steel, she will starve you to death. It will take the flower of the country-the young men."
"In the name of the constitution of Texas, which has been trampled upon, I refuse to take this oath (as governor of CSA Texas). I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her."
"I declare that civil war is inevitable and is near at hand. When it comes the descendants of the heros of Lexington and Bunker Hill will be found equal in patriotism, courage and heroic endurance with the descendants of the heroes of Cowpens and Yorktown. For this reason I predict the civil war which is now at hand will be stubborn and of long duration."
An article in the March 2, 1861 The Daily Picayune (New Orleans) says:
Washington, March 1 -- Correspondence received at the War Department shows that Gov. Houston was greatly instrumental in inducing Gen Twiggs to surrender the Government property in Texas to the authorities of that State.
...In remembering the many evidences which a portion of the Northern people have presented of their willingness to disregard their constitutional obligations and infringe upon the rights of their Southern brethren, I am not in the least surprised at the indignant responses now uttered by Southern men. It shows that if the time should come when we can no longer trust to the constitution for our rights, the people will not hesitate to maintain them....As the Chief Executive of the nation, he [Lincoln] will be sworn to support the constitution and execute the laws. His oath will bring him into conflict with the unconstitutional statutes enacted by his party in many of the states.
Elected by that party, it is but natural that the conservatism of the nation will watch his course with jealous care, and demand at his hands rigid enforcement of the Federal laws. Should he meet the same resistance which other Executives have met, it will be his duty to call to his aid the conservative masses of the country, and they will respond to the call. Should he falter or fail and allow the laws to be subverted, aid in oppressing the people of the South, he must be hurled from power.
…I need not assure you, that whenever the time shall come when we must choose between a loss of our constitutional rights and revolution, I shall choose the latter; and if I, who have led the people of Texas in stormy times of danger, hesitate to plunge into revolution now, it is not because I am ready to submit to Black Republican rule; but because I regard the constitution of my country and am determined to stand by it.
Mr. Lincoln has been constitutionally elected, and much as I deprecate his success, no alternative is left me but to yield to the constitution. The moment that instrument is violated by him, I will be foremost in demanding redress, and the last to abandon my ground.
He didn’t have to wait long.
Perhaps this letter explains his congratulations to Confederate General McGruder in 1863.