530
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
may require the removal of the offices. The time has come; and if the officers are here I will create the officers. I will not change the position which I have taken; and it will do but little good for any man to have it said, he "committed insurrection" by opposing the constitutional action of the Presi- dent, and the militia were called out to suppress it-and to have it added, that "the substance of the farmers was consumed to sustain the troops called out by the order of the President." The laws and constitution must and shall be obeyed, even though their execution should affect the interests of a few. Austin is no defence to the frontier, as the three last years have demonstrated, in the number of persons killed there and horses stolen. Sam Houston. 1 Congressional Pape1·s-Sixth Congress, Texas State Library. TO GENERAL ALEXANDER SOMERVELL 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, March 22d., 1842. To Brigadier General A. Somervell: Sir,- It has been communicated to the President that there is a considerable force at Bexar and on the frontier, and that they are anxious to advance upon the enemy. Should this act- ually be the case, and you find your forces sufficient in strength and organization, you are at liberty to cross the Rio Grande, if you deem it discreet, entering the country by the way of Laredo, or the most eligible crossing and taking such towns above Mata- moros on the Rio Grande as you think proper 2 -taking care not to advance upon Matamoros with an insufficient force, as no cer- tain co-operation can be assured by sea. You will use every precaution against surprise by the enemy. The slightest check to our forces, or defeat, would be most dis,. asterous to Texas at this period. You will be governed by the rules of humane and civilized warfare. Let no outrage be committed upon the peaceful inhab- itants. Whatever stock and other property you can obtain from the· enemy, you will have driven into Texas-taking good care not to weaken the force at your disposition. You will keep them as much in a body as possible. There is always· danger in send- ing out small detachments in an enemy's country. Before your advance upon the enemy, you will communicate your plans to the President, at this place and be careful to
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