"Texas, to be respected must be polite. Santa Anna living, can be of incalculable benefit to Texas; Santa Anna dead, would just be another dead Mexican"

This quote by Sam Houston is a recommendation to the Mexican leader, Santa Anna, and the significance of his existence in Texas. Houston is recommending that Texas must be polite in order to be appreciated, and that Santa Anna's presence is of terrific advantage to the state. He indicates that if Santa Anna were to die, he would simply be another dead Mexican, and his death would not have a considerable effect on Texas. This quote reflects Houston's belief that Texas need to be respectful and diplomatic in its transactions with Mexico, which Santa Anna's presence is essential to preserving an excellent relationship between the two nations. Houston's words also suggest that he understood the power and influence that Santa Anna had in Texas, which his death would be a great loss to the state.