511
WruTINCS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1836
for it is a violation of a neighboring and friendly nation, and may also mislead innocent persons or involve them in loss and diffi- culty. Now, therefore, I Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas, do command all judicial, military and naval officers, and all other functionaries of this Republic and especially the Attor- ney Gene1~a1 & district Attorneys, to be active and vigilant in de- tecting any such attempt to evade the Constitution of this Re- public as that abive mentioned, or any other attempt to introduce Africans or negroes into this Republic in violation of said 9th Article of the Constitution; and deliver them over to the proper judicial tribunal for trial; and to stop, seize and take possession of any vessel, craft or vehicle of transportation, in which any . African or Negro so attempted to be imported or introduced in contravention of said 9th Article may be found, within the juris- diction of the Republic; and also all such negroes, and safely keep them, until they can be delivered over to the custody of the proi:er judicial officer or tribunal. And I do furthermore request all good citizens who may dis- cover any such attempts, to introduce African negroes, or may hear of the same, to give information thereof to the Attorney General, and to the nearest judge, sheriff, District Attorney or other officer of this Republic. Given under my hand & private seal ( there being no seal of office yet provided) at Columbia this ·19th of December A. D. 1836 and of the Independence of Texas the First · Sam Houston S. F. Austin Sec. of State- [ Endorsed] : Proclamation against Slave trade 19th Deer. 1836. 1 "Proclamations of the Presidents," Congrcssio,zal Papers, Texas State Library. TO THE TEXAS CONGRESS' To the Senate, &·H. of Representatives in Congress assembled: Gentlemen, " An Act establishing the general Regulations of the army of the Republic of Texas" has been presented to me for my sanction. Taking into view, the press of business, and the impossibility of making an attentive perusal of the act with rea- sons, which I will take pleasure in stating, will form ample rea- son for withholding, my approval of it.
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