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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
403
has not been ascertained; nor does the Executive expect, de- prived as he is of the means of transacting the public business, to be able to ascertain its true condition within any reasonable time. Business connected with some of the important branches of the different departments, has remained unsettled and unas- certained for the last three years. Until its true condition is known, the adequate remedies cannot be applied. We are not only without money but without credit; and, for want of punc- tuality, without character. At our first commencement we were not without credit, nor had a want of punctuality then impaired our character abroad or confidence at home. Patriotism, industry and enterprise are now our only resources, apart from our public domain and the precarious revenues of the country. These re- main our only hope, and must be improved, husbanded and prop- erly employed. As my predecessor recommended no definite course in relation to our finances, I will not hesitate in recommending the only plan which, to my mind, appears practicable and efficient. View it as we may, it will at least find justification in necessity. We have no money-we cannot redeem our liabilities. These facts are known, and we had as well avow them by our legislation as dem- onstrate them by every day's experience. I would, therefore, recommend to the Honorable Congress a total suspension of the redemption of our liabilities to a period sufficiently remote to enable the government to redeem in good faith such as it ought to redeem. It is known to the Executive that, to a considerable amount, they have been justly incurred; whilst he has reason to believe that many will be brought forward not by any means entitled to governmental consideration. To attempt a redemp- tion of our present liabilities by taxing our population to the amount necessary, would be to them ruinous. Much as we might have deprecated this course of policy, we have now no other remedy left. The evil is upon us. While many just claims are thus deferred, we can only refer our creditors to our inability to pay our debts. To sustain our present system of government, it is proper that ·we should adopt such a course of policy as will not prove insup- portable to its citizens, and at the same time provide for its neces- sary expenditures and preserve a due advertency to our existing obligations. I would therefore recommend, that the law author- izing the assessment of double taxes be repealed - that the direct tax be reduced one half, and that all taxes hereafter assessed be
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