WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
195
But it happens that my opinion concurs with that of a large majority of the representatives of Texas. It is true, I have never seen the place, and therefore cannot speak advisedly. But it is thought to be a better and more eligible place for a custom-house than Brownsville, which leaves the country open to smugglers for a great distance. Mr. President, if there be any object in protecting Point Isabel at all, the only way to attain that object will be to station troops there. The Indians have gone down to the seaboard in large num- bers, and sacked the village of Lynville some years ago. They did not pass by a single habitation till they reached the immediate point of attack. And they can still do so, because the country is sparsely populated, and there are chaparrals that can screen them from observation until they are upon the place they wish to assail. They might pass within ten, five, or two miles of Browns- ville, without being seen, and advance to Point Isabel and take the custom-house, with all the property therein contained. The resolution has lain on the table several days. The entire object of it is to obtain information. There is no ulterior design whatever in this resolution. We wish merely to see which is the more politic place, because it is the interest of the Senators and Representatives of that country to render the greatest good to the inhabitants there, and to promote the public interests by giving protection to property and commerce upon that line of the Rio Grande. Point Isabel, I understand, is the first place situated upon the Rio Grande at which a custom-house can be established secure from inundations. I mean on the borders of the Rio Grande, and connected with its commerce. When the proposed sea-wall shall have been built, it may be very appropriate to change the location of the custom- house to some other point. I wish the resolution to pass for no other purpose than to obtain the requisite information, and see whether the reasons alleged in the correspondence have been sufficient to countervail those suggested by the commanding Gen- eral, now President. That is all I desire. 1 Congressiona.l Globe, XXI, Part 2, 1st Sess., 31st Cong., lS•Hl-1850, pp. 1355-1350. Tho question being taken on the adoption of the resolution, it was agreed to,
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