WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
497
dent and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the Re- public of Texas, do, by these presents direct and command all persons to abstain from the commission of such practices, unless by the express order of the government, emanating from the War Department, to such person or persons as may be authorized or required to perform such duty; and in no case whatever shall any property be impressed, but when the most absolute necessity of the public service may require recourse to such alternative. If any officer shall be guilty of the offense of impressment of property without authority, he shall be dishonorably discharged from the service; and if a non-commissioned officer or soldier, he shall be tried by court martial. All persons who shall be guilty of a violation of this proclamation, shall have their names pub- lished as offenders in the newspapers of the Republic. Nothing is better calculated to alienate the feelings of the peo- ple, and destroy confidence in the Government than the toleration of such offences. It is the high and honorable duty of a soldier to protect the lives and property of the peaceful and worthy citizens. No man who feels the holy impulse of patriotism but will detest the offence, when he reflects upon the condition of an honest citizen who has been oppressed by his countrymen, because he was unable to maintain his rights and preserve his property from the hands of vioience, which should only be raised against our national oppressors. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 49-50, Texas State Library. Austin City Gazette, March 30, 1842. To COMMODORE EDWIN WARD MooRE 1 Galveston, 11th March, 1842. DEAR SIR,2-I send by your brother, Mr. James W. Moore, 5 dispatches which have been on the way for some time. Mr. Moore will tell you all the news. The enemy have invaded us at last. It appears to be formidable, and our coast is exposed to the enemy at every point. Previous to the invasion I directed your brother to be in readi- ness to sail to you, and bear my orders, in addition to those of the Secretary of War and Navy. My intention was to reorganize the Navy, and if it should be employed to let it be in the most efficient state. I did not wish to make any alterations in the Navy unless you and Hockley were
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