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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
Archers, desires in this matter, nor would we ham ventured what would have been unpleasant to him.- Allready it is said and be- lieved, that the man whom you recalled from abroad when comeing into office because you feared he would do you "injustice" as well as to wrong the country," is to succeed Col. Bee, when Genl Houston, comes in-then your appointment at present of Dr. Archer, would be simply a choice betwen these gentlemen, and not virtually the super- cedeing of Col. Bee, as you seem to suppose;- Your Excellency, says you know no reason why J?r. Archer should not share the universal proscription of your other friends in case such a "writ" should go forth.- In our verbal inter-, view, I think we agreed in opinion that Genl Houston, would not recall him; and such is 'the opinion not only of your leading friends, but of all with whom I have spoken, of every party-And the leading and official organ of the Houston party, the "Austin City Gazette," within the last month has nominated him for that place.- This alone ou~ht to be a strong guarantee of his not being recalled.-Your Excellency furthermore says, "and should I sent Dr Archer abroad at this criE:i.s, who could I get to succeed him in his present situation &c ?"- I)r. Archer informed me that he had given you notice of his intention Ito retire, certainly it is he authorized the publication of that intenti~'lT!/ in the "Centinel" of the 23rd. inst. so soon as his annual report could be completed.- You would then necessarily have to look out for his successor.- Your Excellency quotes me literally when I say "it might be constructively considered a fraud upon the public for any other of your friends to accept an office and pocket the emoluments thereof under the expectation of being recalled."- It is clear from the use of the word might, in the foregoing sentence, that there was doubt expressed as to the correctness of such opinion.- The unani- mous opinions of the Vice President and the whole of your cabinet have convinced me of the error of a position about which I doubted, and to which you so readily subscribe. They say truly- that the appointing power was placed in your hands by the constitution, and should be exercised fearlessly and promptly whenever occasion require it to be done.-that neither a desire or pleaseing, or /ear of giving offence to your successor should enter into this discharge of duty- that should your successor be your political friend your appointments I will doubtless be agreeable to him, and if your enemy the power of' , removal is his, and he alone should be responcible for the abuse of '-- such power-Such hitherto have been the universal practice not only of Texas, but of the country from which we have copied our political system.-· Indeed, upon second thought it does appear to me, that any other construction of the duty of the appointing power would be idly and highly impracticable.- . When I suggested, that I should like to see Col. ·Bee, transferred to France or some other court, it was because I under- stood such was his and General Hamiltons desire-because I knew Texa~ had treaties with nations where we were unrepresented- because I believed it was greatly to the interest of Texas to extend her treaties,- and because I had frequently understood from your Excellency that you did not intend to appoint Genl. McIntosh, and that his friends Genl. Henderson and Hunt had preemptorily demanded his recall from
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