WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
529
TO GEORGE W. HOCKLEY, SECRETARY OF W AR 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, March 22, 1842. To Col. Geo. W. Hockley, &c. Dear Sir, I am sorry to learn that you are not well-such is the news by express. You have done right in relation to the archives. I will not remit my purpose, but I wish no violence or bloodshed. I sent an express to you, and ordered all the officers of govern- ment to this point. If people will fly in the face of the laws and constitution, it is to be deplored, and they should be punished in a proper manner. I suppose they think, that if the archives were actually destroyed, it would then be a proper time to remove them. I am the sole judge of the necessity and the time proper for their removal. That time has come; and if they should offer any violence to their removal, you will have them safely deposited in some house, and have a confidential man left in charge of them. In the mean time all the officers of the government will repair to this point--and should any refuse to come, their offices will be considered vacant and accordingly filled. You may be assured that I will not falter on the way. The absurdity is most manifest, for the reason that Austin is more exposed than Bexar. The enemy could approach it with less danger and more secrecy thau they did Bexar.-Had the govt. been at this place, all or a great portion of the excitement and alarm which has prevailed, would have been prevented. The mass of population being on the sea-board and on the rivers, were not apprised of the true state of facts; as all important intelli- gence was sent to Austin. It is beyond endurance to suppose that the very liberties of Texas are to be sacrificed to the interests or wishes of less than one tenth of the nation. If the people of Austin are really in good earnest to keep the archives safe, as they aver; and you cannot bring them without violence, and should deem it wise and prudent to leave them, then the people can protect them. As to the Executive and the officers of the government, they will assuredly be here, and not at Austin. I have no additional orders to give--only for all the office1·s to repair here forthwith. You will please to regard the suggestions contained in this letter and act upon them. I am the sole judge of the emergency \\hich
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