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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
extend, and then to release the excess of Mexican prisoners on parole. Not withstanding the humanity and liberality of this offer, it has met no official response from that government. It seemed to me, that it would be in accordance with the civilization of the age, to release all the prisoners, and to permit them to leave our shores so soon as they can do so. In the meantime I have learned that our citizens, as well as the prisoners, at Matamoras (amounting to thirteen in number) have been liberated. It is impossible for me to account for the apathy with which Mexico treated the subject, and her willingness to permit a portion of the bravest troops of the nation to remain prisoners in exile, when a just policy would at once have restored them to their country and their homes. Congress will no doubt find it necessary to revise the laws of the Republic, and to direct that a digest be made of those of Coahuila and Texas so far as they may be useful to the establish- ment of rights acquired, under them. It will be seen that the adoption of the common law of England, with modifications adapted to our situation, is required by the provisions of the constitution. Nothing can conduce more to the order and stability of a government than the simplicity of the laws, the proper definition of rights, and their impartial and consistent administration. I will not close this communication to your honorable body, without presenting to your consideration, the claims of citizens of the United States, who acquired, as they conceived, bona fide titles to lands in Texas. It is due to many of those individuals, to suggest, that their generous and manly efforts in our cause, will entitle them to the most favorable decisions of congress. Their means have aided us in the darkest hours of our proba- tion, and recently have aided in dispelling our embarrassments. Such men deserve the gratitude, as well as the justice of our country. While reflecting upon the dispensations of an Almighty Being, who has conducted our country through scenes of unparalelled privation, massacre and suffering, it is but gratitude and sensi- bility, to render to him our most devout thanks, and invoke his
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