WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
113
like ours, as yet in its infancy, and hardly able, (not having a dollar at command,) to bear up under the weight of personal necessities, to say nothing of our responsibilities with respect to the past or future? Much more could be added on this subject, if time were allowed for a full discussion, this much I hope may be sufficient, at present, to induce you to consider the bill, and in doing so you will, perhaps, join me in the conclusion, that civil legislation cannot go hand in hand with sympathy and philanthropy. If, however, it should be otherwise, a little delay can do no injury to the interest intended to be served, as no actual money is at present contemplated. In the meanwhile more reflection may be given to the subject, after which it will not be difficult to carry such a bill froward, if it should continue to be the wish of the people. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Cong,·essional Papers, Texas State Library. The Journal of the House of Rep,·esen~at-ives of the Republic. of Texas, 1st Cong., 2d Sess., 99-100.
To THE TEXAS CoNGREss 1
Executive Department, City of Houston, June 6th, 1837.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives. I cannot forbear calling to your attention the condition of the subsistence and quarter master's department of this government. The inclosed document will exhibit the amount of liabilities that must be immediately met, or the credit of the government will be entirely destroyed. I would have laid the subject before your honorable body, at an earlier day, had it been in my power to have acquired the information desirable. Without the interposition of Congress the situation of the country must be truly deplorable. · The government was unable upon its own credit, to obtain the supplies absolutely necessary to the emergencies of the army. The executive has been compelled to give his individual obliga- tion for supplies for the army, endorsed by some of the honor- able members of your body. This was done at a time when a part of the army was in an actual state of mutiny, from want of every kind of provisions. Galveston Island would have been deserted had this course not been pursued. Since the commencement of the constitutional government, no public officer has received any salary. Their personal expenses
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