WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1836
519
and confirm this treaty, it doubtless would tend to secure their permanent friendship, a thing at this time much to be desired, all of which is respectfully submitted.!! Sam Houston 1 E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jo1mwls of the Semite of the Rep1tblic of Te:i;as, 1886-1845, 35-36. · ~A copy of the text of the treaty may be seen in ·Secret Jo11n1als, 36, and consecutive pages.
VETO OF AN ACT TO CREATE A GENERAL LAND OFFICE 1
Executive Department, Columbia, 21st Dec. 1836. To the Hon [orable] Senate and House of Representatives: Gentlemen- I have had under consideration, the bill to estab- lish a General Land Office for the Republic of Texas, and after a mature examination of the same, am compelled to return it with- out approval. · No subject of legislation can be of more vital importance to the public interest, than the formation of a General Land Sys- tem; but in order to be useful to the country. it should be full, clear, and embrace the whole subject; and also be equal in its operation. I cannot believe that the bill now before me, is of this character. It is well known that land as heretofore been granted and sur- veyed, under the colonization laws; and it is evidently im- practicable, without opening a wide door for confusion, to corn:. mence a new system of surveys, and of granting land, until some definite rules or principles are established to ascertain what land is held by valid titles, and what is vacant. Without some such rule to regulate them, the several officers of the land districts are left to do as they please, and either order -all the country to be surveyed and receive entries, regardless of private claims, and let the parties resort to courts of justice; or they can refuse to permit any land to be surveyed that is claimed by others; and thus one system may be pursued in one district, and another sys- tem in the adjoining one. Another objection is, that the number of the land districts is too great. It multiplies officers, and expense without any neces- sity or any utility to the country. But a little stronger objection to this bill is, that it will l:;e doing a great injustice to the army, and to those who are entitled
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