WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 184-2
453
until Texas was admitted into the Union as a State. In Texas politics, Daingerfield was strictly a Lamar follower, but was tactful and conserva- tive enough always to remain on friendly terms with Houston, and actually held more and higher positions from Houston than from Lamar. Upon learning of the appointment of Daingerfield as charge cl'affaires to the Netherlands, Ashbel Smith, then the Texan Minister to Great Britain and France, wrote: "I am pleased to learn of the appointment of Mr. Dainger- field. The residence of a gentleman as representative of a country in any of the European Capitals exerts a very decidedly favorable influence." (Sec G. P. Garrison (ed.), Divlomatic Corrcsvondcncc of the Re7mblic of Texas, III, 1433.) Daingerfield was never married. In 1860 he left Texas and set up a law office in the District of Columbia near Washington. See Court of Claimzs Pavcrs, General Land Office of Texas; Lama-r Pa71ers, II and III passim; also G. P. Garrison (ed.), Diplomatic Corresvondence of the Rc- ]Jllblic of Texas, II, III, pctssim. 3 Although the man w1·ote his name "P. Edmunds" it is more often found spelled Edmonds. Houston nominated him for consul of the port of New Orleans, on January 29, 1842, and the Senate confirmed the nomination, but Edmunds did not like the consulate business; he was very inefficient in the service, and abandoned the office before midsummer, 1843, without even the courtesy of a formal resignation. See Consular Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, Texas State Library; also see The Sollthwestern Histo1·ical Qua1·terly, XXXIV, 213. TO THE TEXAS SENATE 1 Executive Department, City of Austin, January 31t., 1842. To the honorable, the Senate: A joint resolution, "passing a vote of thanks to Captain John G. Tod,2 late Commander of the naval station at Galveston," has been presented to the Executive for his approval and signature. At all times it is painful for me to dissent from the Honorable Congress on any subject; and particularly so on subjects which are purely relative to the feelings of individuals, apart from the general interest of the community; and of that character I find the present resolution. I cannot, therefore, give it my ap- proval.- It seems to have for its object alone to render a mark of respect to the person in whose behalf it is passed, and not to liquidate any demand which exists between him and the govern- ment. The pecuniary matters connected with the agency of Cap- tain Tod, appear all to have been satisfactorily adjusted by the proper officer, then the only questions arising are in relation to a discharge of his duties as agent; and whether or not the govern- ment has suffered detriment or injury from any cause over which he, as agent, has had a control.-The contractor with the govern-
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