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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
upon some points of present absorbing public concernment; and if any hints of mine can be of service to you in the execution of a wise policy I shall be more than compensated. You, Sir, have been elected with a rare unanimity to the highest office in this nation, as one best qualified to put an end to this state of war, establish public credit, negociate foreign relations, and secure public and private rights at home. As one whose firmness, decision and energy would carry out these objects in a different. manner to the miscaried efforts of your predecessors. It does appear to me, that from our very national birth, we have set with folded arms relying more upon the chances of luck, than upon the energies of men-that like an able bodied young man looking to the death of a rich relation for a liveing, we have hoped more for fortune than we have seeked it. The best way to realize public expectation in your administration, is the question. Let us then, first look if there be any profit in our past short history. Since the first breaking out of our Revolution a pacific temporize- ing policy seems to have persued us phantom like, to the e:xclusion of all things else. Negociation, Negociation has been the word. Negociation was rung around the walls of San Antonio in the fall of 1835 in the shape of blanck cartridges until its author the best of men was literally expelled the country by way of asso- ciateing him in a commission to the United States aUready most ably filled. Negociation took possession of the bloody field of San Jacinto and pushed forward its policy to the then political ruin of one of the purest patriots at the head of the government. Neg'Gcia- tion upon his first induction into office seized upon our last Presi-~ dent and haunted him through a twenty six months administration, left him in a state of political bankrupcy and the country not benefitted. Thus the work of three years .and where the benefit of the country 1 Will your Excellency, then be surprized if I most respectfully ask, is this policy still to be persued, and if so, what other calculation has lately opened of its benefit? I do not mean to be understood as opposed to negociation except ,in its Texas s1mce, that is, in the absence of every thing else. I am for negociation, but I am first for the means of enforseing it. The schoolmaster best enforces his dis.cipline when the rod is ready to second him; so you may best carry out the most peaceable results by haveing your army ready to strike upon your enemies refusal. Cromwells, advice to his soldiers to '' trust in God but keep your powder dry" should speak volumes to us. Think you the late favour- able treaty of her majesty the Queen of England with the most powerful Monarch upon earth, was most induced by logic or the presence of her Majesties. ships. Need I cite the history of all nations to prove, that the security of liberty is in the power to maintain it. I would have you negociate, but negociate with your rod in hand, with your powder dry. Have your armv,& navy readv to strike upon the refusal of your peace offering, otherwise my life upon it, your terms will be laughed at. A vain and shallow minded people will yield you nothing either from •reason or ,-.ourtesv, anrl you may fritter away your whole administration· as the last three years has been, without either the restoration of peace or the
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