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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1832-1853
Nothing definite has taken place with him as to his absence. It will be looked into, and decided upon. I thank you for the very kind earnest which you send of your generous recollection of me. The articles are yet on board at Galveston and will meet me at Houston, as they call the new City. In a few days the Govern- ment will remove to that place, and be stationary for some five years. We see that "Uncle Sam" has recognized our Independ- ence. This is pretty well, and if we are annexed next session, "I will die appie." You must start the town in public meetings, and let it bear on the next elections for Congress. As to the subject of "Aliens" if I were you I would not regard it at all! Matters about aliens. I told General Mason who has time on hand to write to you on the subject. You will see that no Bill passed in their favor, nor have their rights in my estimation been preju- diced by either the Convention, nor otherwise. You may suppose, because my name appears on the Constitution, that I signed it, and of course approve it. I was on the Colorado with the army when the Convention adjourned, and I had never seen the Con- stitution, nor did I ever authorize any one to sign my name to it. I never would have signed it had I have been present. The members had no power, no direct, or vested right, nor had they any power, or faculty, to establish any retroactive matter; nor to do anything which could impair the validity of acts done by the Legislature of Coahuila & Texas; not contrary to the consti- tution, and laws of the Republic. To decide upon the justice of your claims as to land &c., it clearly belongs to the Judiciary of the country, and to no other power on earth. If Congress were to pass a law saying that no aliens should hold land in Texas, I would at once say that such a law could only affect those who might hereafter acquire land and none others. There is no reason in a contrary belief. I render you ten thousand thanks for the efficient aid which you have rendered our Vessels in New York, and feel assured that to you alone, we are endebted for their release and use. We will get on, I hope, by and bye, and then we can render the things to Cresar that are due to Cresar. At the next Congress I hope that something will be done creditable to our Government. Look out! I am pressed greatly for time, and I hope you will present me to friend Price, and all our friends. I thank Price most kindly, and will write to him at the first moment of leisure which I can command. I hope that you will present my very respectful salutations to Madam and Miss Swartwout, and my dear fellow, if I live to
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