WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1837
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since the adjournment of Congress, have been great, without the means of meeting them, and rendering that aid which was in every way, so desirable.- The several acts providing for the issues of land scrip to the agents specified, have been complied with, and I regret to say, that comparatively none of the respon- sibilities incurred by the laws, have been met by these agents to whom the scrip was issued. A compliance with the conditions of the law, placed the agents beyond control of the Executive, and left it without resources, so far as the supplies of the army and navy were dependent upon the means placed in their hands. Re- peated calls have been made upon them to render their accounts current to the proper department, but no response has been given or reason rendered for protesting the drafts which have been drawn upon them. This state of affairs being presented, the Executive resorted to the only alternative left, and directed that no further sales of scrip should take place by them; but, that ·the means remaining in their hands, should be immediately passed over to the special agent of the government, and that they should render their accounts accordingly. To this subject the early attention of congress is earnestly requested! The commissioners sent to the United States, for the purpose of negotiating a loan of five millions, have constantly reported so unfavorably of the money market, that it was not deemed necessary to issue the bonds until recently.- One of the gentle- men indicating a wish to retire after having been much del~yed on his journey by ill health, and the other giving us no hope of being able to effect any thing by present exertions, it was thought proper to permit them both to return, and other$ have been appointed and proceeded to the United States, with a part of the bonds, and with confident hopes of success. The public domain of the country being the foundation of its finances, will demand the most serious and enlightened judgment of congress, and from its importance, urge the necessity of adopt- ing some secure system for the future government of that branch of our resources, and for the regulation of the rights which have been acquired under former laws in 1·elation to it. The views of the Executive having been given during the last session of congress in relation to the land bill, submitted for approval, have undergone no change, but time has only given to them addi- tional weight. By reference to the bill, it must be manifest to all, that it is not adapted to our situation, and should it be per- mitted to go into effect, the public interests must suffer injury,
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