406
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
This will become a subject for the consideration of the Honorable Congress, and is so impressively manifest that I need not urge it as a subject of importance upon your attention. It is expected by our constituents and they ought not to be disappointed. It is the peculiar province of the Congress to furnish the Executive with the means to execute his duties to the country in affording protection to its citizens. Without means he can neither execute his trusts nor redeem his obligations. During my former term of service as the Executive of the nation, the then Congress denied me all requisite aid for the defence of the country. Repeated calls were made upon me for assistance, and protection against the Indian incursions and depredations, and I could render neither, because the means had been denied me and my power had been transferred to the Major General of Militia. Evil was produced to the country by these unauthorized acts, whilst the Executive was held respon- sible by the people for misfortunes which were attributable to the Congress alone. It is sincerely to be hoped that like unfor- tunate and improvident legislation may never again be experi- enced in our country. With regard to our navy, I deem but few remarks necessary. Its situation and condition have been subjects of discussion before the Honorable Congress for some time past; and as its final action has not been taken in relation to the matter, a becom- ing sense of official decorum will for the present, suspend the expression of opinion. If the law, directing the course which shall be pursued with the navy remains unaltered, I shall pro- ceed forthwith in its execution, according to the intention and in the spirit with which it was enacted. The subject of reform is one which has claimed the attention and consideration of the people, and one, in my opinion, of general as well as vital importance to the country. A judicious system of economy now adopted may be of advantage for the future. It must be beneficial, if its provisions are not violated. The time when retrenchment was necessary and important and would have prevented our present calamities, has gone by. Whether the precautionary measures adopted by legislation have been exe- cuted or not is for the Congress to determine. Reform it would seem is intended for the remedy of evils which have existed - the ;reatest of which is the unnecessary expenditure of the public resources. To prevent this for the future, if it has already been
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