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PAPERS OF MIR.ABE.AU BuoN.AP.ARTE LAM.AR
formidable foes, we may reasonably calculate upon protracted hostili- ties with our savage neighbors, necessarily involving large expenditures; and with the certainty of these military demands daily pressing upon us, and the possibility of our being called upon at any moment for the exertion of our highest financial and physical abilities, it would seem to me to be more consonant to true policy to increase rather than diminish our means of national protection and defence. Wise nations even in peace, consider it sound policy to prepare for war; let us not reverse the maxim, and in the midst of war rej(;lct the means essential to a vigorous and successful maintenance of our soil, our lives and our characters. And suppose our Commissioners should in anticipation of future wants, procure a larger sum than the present debts of the nation, and the estimated expenses of the current year should require, no injury is inflicted on the Republic; not a dollar of the loan can be expended for any object without an appropriation of Congress; and surely a young nation like ours, whose resources and energies are yet to be developed, and whosf developement can be so greatly facilitated by borrowed cap- ital, will not regard the evil of having a few hundred thousand dollars in its Treasury beyond its immediate necessities, as one of very alarm- ing magnitude, especially when it is remembered that she still has her public edifices to construct, institutions to build up, the vicissitudes of war to anticipate and provide for, and a sound circulating medium to establish, through the agency of a well organized and well directed National Bank, to all which laudable purposes such surplus capital, if any, may be so successfully and beneficially directed, as to ensure a degree of public advancement and individual prosperity unknown in the history of nations. Knowing also that the Commissioners, with a full understanding with the Secretary of the Treasury, do not intend to contract for a larger amount in Cash than the wants of the current year will require, unless the success of the negotiation imperatively demands it, and that for the residue of the five millions they will stipulate for the payment of such instalments which whilst they meet the public exigencies, will effect the greatest possible saving of interest compatible with the public safety, I am constrained with every sentiment of respect and deference to both branches of Congress to return the Resolution with my dis- sent to the same. MIRABEAU B LAMAR. No. 1584 1839 Dec. 24, A. T. BURNLEY, LOUISVILLE, [KENTUCKY], TO U. B. LAMAR, AUSTIN, TEXAS 41 To His Excellency Louisville Deer 24th 1839. l\I. B. Lamar President of the Republic of Texas. Dear Sir On the 3rd. of this month I had the honour to address you a long communication 42 from Balto, giving you "A. L. S, "This communication is in the Texas arcllives, "Comptroller's Letters."
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