WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
534
necessarily sent there from the point of danger, and no assistance could be afforded. Rumors came to the densely inhabited por- tions of Texas, whilst direct intelligence was delayed. Had the facts been known on the seaboard and in middle Texas, the whole population would not have been called out at this important sea- son of cropping; and so long as the seat of government remains detached, the country will be liable to similar evils. To prevent much evil and do good, was the origin of the order, which I gave to the Secretary of War and Navy, and which is renewed. The President begs leave, in conclusion, to express his sincere esteem and respect for the very respectable portion of his fellow citizens of Travis county, whose opinions have been communi- cated to him through you, Gentlemen ; and while he regrets most deeply that the present emergency prevents him from a com- pliance with their requests, he hopes the reasons now assigned (under a consciousness of events which have transpired since the date of their meeting) will be satisfactory, and that as patriotic citizens they will sustain him in the course which circumstances have compelled him to adopt. 2 Be pleased to accept for yourselves, gentlemen, the assurances of the sincere regard and respect, with which I have the honor to be your most obedient servant Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Congressional Papers; also Execut-ive Rec- 01·d Book, No. 40, pp. 73-74, Texas State Library; The Telegraph and Texas Register, June 15, 1842; The Red-Lander, July 7, 1842. Both the Telegraph and The Red-Lander give March 26, 1842, as the date of the letter; both official documents give the date as March 24. Otherwise the official and the newspaper sources are identical in wording, and practically the same in paragraph division. :?The Telegraph and Texas Register, June 15, 1842, carried a reply to Houston's letter signed by five hundred names. TO GAIL BORDEN, JR. 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, March 24, 1842. To Gail Borden, Jr., Esq., Sir,- You are hereby appointed prize-agent of all pri~es which may arrive at Galveston; and in discharge of your duties, you will conform to the laws of Texas. Sam Houston. 1Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 74, Texas State Library.
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