WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
494
to Houston, such arms as you have in the Custom House, except- ing three hundred guns; which may be required for the use of Galveston. You will send the arms to the care of George Allen,3 & Co., accompanied by a bill of lading. Sam Houston [P. S.] Required, 150 muskets, 150 cutlasses, 1 long brass gun from Steam Ship Zavala, 4 Six or nine pound guns, 1 American ensign 5 boarding pikes To Gail Borden, Jr., Esq. Collector of Customs, Galveston: Sir - The proper officers will issue arms &c., agreeably to above requisition; taking duplicate receipts and security for their safe return. 340 muskets will be retained on the island. Houston Galveston, March 10th, 1842. 1 Army Papers (original), and in Executive Reco1·d Boole, No. 40, p. 48, Texas State Library. The original document-in the Anny Pape1·s-is an enclosure with Gail Borden's report of March 10, 1842. 2 Gail Borden, Jr. See Houston's Synopsis of Naval Expense, April 30, 1838. 8 George Allen was a brother of A. C. Allen. He had a large mercantile business in Galveston. See a Prohibition Wager, January 7, 1838, for some data concerning the Allen family. To COLONEL ALDEN A. M. JACKSON, MARCH 10, 1842. 1 Galveston, March 10, 1842. To Col. Alden A. M. Jackson : 2 Sir - In the present emergency, the President exercises the power of issuing orders directly to you, as it is impossible for the Secretary of War to discharge his duties at this point. You will have your regiment in a state of perfect organization. It will be proper for you so far as practicable-relying upon the liberality of the citizens-to have the fort at the East end of the island placed in an efficient state of defence, in case of a descent of the enemy by sea. It wiH be necessary to obtain plank and have the guns protected by cover when mounted. You are
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