WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1837
111
I am satisfied that a flag from an armed vessel would not be. received, and our force would not be sufficient to coerce and to demand that which might be mad·e in behalf of our prisoners. No man on earth feels more solicitude for their release and res- toration than myself; but I must confess that if the course sug- gested is pursued, I apprehend that the most disastrous conse- quences will result to them. I do verily believe that the appearance of our armed vessels in their ports would so excite and inflame the population of Matamoras that under the impulse of ignorance and phrenzy, they would massacre our friends, and most probably every North American in the city. If this were not the case, I have no doubt but what our friends would be sent to the interior of the country immediately, or the rigor of their confinement greatly increased. If a neutral vessel were sent with a flag the authorities would be compelled to respect it, and if they would receive a flag from Texas it could be ascertained without jeopardizing the only re- source of a defence of our coast by placing our vessels in the power of a vastly superior naval force. For I have been assured that the Urrea has been released at Pensacola and today I am advised that our naval Commanders off the Galveston Island believe that she is cruising off that port. I have suggested these reflections and facts for the considera- tion of your honorable body in a spirit of kindness and frankness and cordiality in which I feel confident I shall be met by both houses, and I will conclude with this assertion of my sincere desire, that the different Departments of our infant Republic may act with that spirit of wisdom, patriotism, fortitude, charity and forbearance which insure the perpetuity of our Infant Coun- try and the happiness and prosperity of unborn millions. Sam Houston [Rubric] [Endorsed] : Veto of the President on the Resolution to send armed vessels to Matamoras May 31, 1837. Read and adopted, June 3, 1837. Received from the Senate, June 5, 1837. 1 Nacogdoches Archives; also, "Messages of the Presidents," Cong,·ess·ional Pape1·s, Texas State Library. The Journal of the House of Representatives of the Repitblic of Texas, 1st Cong., 2d Sess., 1836-1837, 84-87. E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secl'et Journals of tho Senate, Republic of Texas, 1836-1845, 60-63.
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