WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184-2
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counties; if there is found warrant in the constitution to author- ize the organization of counties of that character, it follows as a necessary consequence that that body had not the right to make such donations. For which reason, I am also forced to withhold my approval from this bill likewise. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Congressional Pa7>e1·s; also, Executive Rec- ord Book, No. 40, pp. 19-20, Texas State Library. TO THE TEXAS SENATE 1 Executive Department, City of Austin, January 12, 1842. -To the Honorable Senate: I herewith submit for the appro- priate action of your Honorable Body, the treaty for the sup- pression of the African Slave trade,2 concluded with the govern- ment of Great Britain, at London, on the 16th day of November, in the year 1840; with a protocol of conference between the pleni- potentiaries of the two contracting powers for the extension of the time for the exchange of ratifications; and, also, the letters of Gen. Hamilton 3 explanatory of the objects of the said treaty. : I make no recommendation to your Honorable Body, being sat- isfied that all the examination and reflection necessary to judi- cious action will be given a subject of such great delicacy and importance. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 20, Texas State Library. ' 2 See E. D. Adams (ed.), British Co,·respondence Conc.erning Texas, pp. 30, ·65-62; E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Journals of the Senate, Republic of Texas, 214, 215. These references give a fairly clear account of the controversy concerning this treaty. The Texas engrossed copy of the orig- inal treaty is in the archives of the Texas State Library. ' aJames Hamilton (May 8, 1786-November 16, 1857) Governor of South Carolina, politician, diplomat, business man. For a good brief sketch of his life and services, see Dictionary of American Biography, VIII, 186-188. TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1 Executive Department, City of Austin, January 12th, 1842. To the Honorable, the House of Representatives: I herewith return to the House of Representatives, in which it originated, a bill entitled, "An Act to authorize the Commissioner ~f the General Land Office to issue patents in certain cases."
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