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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
authority of the Republic of Texas, shall be sealed with the great seal and signed by the President.'' The· bill under consideration seems to have been passed without reference to these provisions. It places an officer in command independent of any commission from the President; and chosen too, not under Executive nomination, nor by popular election, _nor by joint ballot of both Houses of Congress; but by legislative Enactment- a method of military organization un- known to the Constitution; altogether at variance with the genius of our government, and one which may lead to confusion disorganization and disaster. If the system is permitted to prevail in the appoint- ment of a Captain, no reason is perceived why it should not in any and all other cases. Under such a precedent the officers of navy & the regular army, as well as those of the civil departments, may all be filled in total disregard of the salutary principles of that para- mount law which we should always revere and obey. If the Congress shall think proper, by another enactment, to continue the appropria- tion for the object specified, the Executive, bein [g] apprized of the wishes of your Honbl. Body, will be pleased to carry its views, into immediate execution in a Constitutional form. Believing that the ex- ample is both dangerous & unconstitutional, I feel constrained to re- turn the Bill without my official approval. {Endorsed] Copy of the Veto to a Bill making 1\Iathew C;i,ldwell Captain.
No. 989
1839 Jan. 6, B. McGOWAN, GALVESTON, [TEXAS], TO MIRA- BEAU B[UONAPAR'I'E] LAl\'IAR, HOUSTON, [TEXAS] Giving his United States address in case he should be wanted for work in the Navy Department, on the boundary line, or on the military road. A. L. S. 1 p. No. 990 1839 Jam. 7, R[ICHARD] G. DUNLAP, TREASURY DEPART- MENT, [HOUSTON, TEXAS], TO [MIRABEAU BUONA- PARTE LAl\TAR, HOUSTON, TEXAS] Endorsing Colonel ·William P. l\'Iiller for chief justice of Victoria, to succeed John Hays. A. N. S. 1 p. No. 991 183.9 Jan. 7, JO[H]N B. DAWSON, ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUIS'- IANA, TO MIRABEAU [BUONAPARTE] LAMAR, [HOUSTON, TEXAS] Introducing Mr. Farrar, "my neighbour and friend"; thanks for his own kind treatment while in Texas. A. L. S. 1 p.
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