WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
495
authorized if necessary, to remove any of the carriages or trucks from the Navy-yard, to mount guns upon. You will prepare at least thirty rounds of fixed ammunition for the 18 pounders and the same number for the 24 pounders. You will obtain from the collector the requisite number of muskets for such of your command as you may require, and re- ceipt for the same. You will see that the arms are preserved in perfect order. You will place your command in the best possible state for action, if it should be necessary to meet the enemy. If the invasion is more than temporary, we may look for a co- operation by sea with the land forces, and this, then, would un- doubtedly be one point of attack. It must, therefore, be placed in the best possible state of defence for the means at the dis- position of the Executive; and such as the liberality of the citi- zens can render. You will preserve subordination and discipline in your com- mand ; or, in case of action, there will be but little hope of suc- cess, or glory, for our country. If Texians are obedient to the laws and their officers, they will always prove victorious and unconquerable. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 49, Texas State Library. 2 Colonel Alden A. M. Jacksqn. See Houston to Colonel Alden A. M. Jackson, March 8, 1842. To GEORGE w. HocKLEY 1 Galveston, March 10, 1842. '# To the Honorable George W. Hockley: Sir:- You will communicate to the Heads of Departments, that you have this, my order, to have removed forthwith to the City of Houston all the public archives of the Republic of Texas. William Pettus,2 Esquire, will report to you, and you can re- quire of him such aids as you may deem proper and necessary. You may find it most safe to have the archives removed by way of Caldwell, on the Brazos. If the enemy advance upon the Colo- rado, they would be in danger by the Rutersville route. If all cannot be brought off, by all means secure the land papers and Auditor's and Comptroller's.
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