The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume II

I I

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837

72

Salute Hewes, and all friends. I pray you not to be absent from your post! Salute all friends. Sam Houston [Rubric] Colonel A. S. Thruston. 1 Army Pa71el's (the original document); Navy Papers; and Consular Papers, 1836-1837, Texas State Library. 2 David White was a merchant and financier of Mobile, Alabama, who acted as consul for Texas at Mobile, during Houston's first administration as President of the Republic of Texas.

To THOMAS ToBY 1

Columbia, Texas, March 17th 1837 Dear Sir: I have written to Colonel Thruston 2 and made requisition for such things as are absolutely necessary, not only for the existence of the Army, but the salvation of Texas. I have been sorry to learn that you cou'd not render the Script available so as to furnish supplies, and have directed the Secy of Treasury to draw an order on you for a portion of the Script in your hand that will be available forthwith. Seventeen hundred men are now in the field, and about five hundred not armed, the supplies can only last for four days longer. For Gods-sake do something or we must lose all we have gained, and our country. The supplies in it are much exhausted. We must be supplied!!! I have ordered that no more troops are to be sent to Texas, but such as bring good arms, two months provisions, and six months clothing, all to be provided at their own expense. Let the order be respected. We do not want naked men, nor men unarmed, nor starving. · Do all that you can for us; and do render your account current, against this Government, so as to enable me to make out a state- ment of the condition of the finances of the country, by the meet- ing of the Congress on the 1st of May next. You will at once perceive, the necessity in which I am placed; and urgency of my desire. I hope the Congress will adopt some system, that will enable us to get thro' our difficulties: and I feel assured that those who render us the necessary aid will be amply requited, for any temporary inconvenience, which they may endure for the present on account of the Country. Do by all means forward all the articles thro' the Commissary General Colonel Thruston; which have been required.

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