WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
175
tive can see no necessity for such a purchase, as there are doubt- less several wagons connected with Colonel Johnson's command, and you will make a requisition upon Colonel Johnson for such an one as suits your purpose. The corn (2250 bushels) you speak of having purchased, is more than can possibly be of any use; with full rations per day for your animals, it would last for nearly six months. It - is expected that most of your men will be upon the scout all the time during which time they must subsist on grass, and conse- quently, the amount is much larger than there can be any neces- sity for. It was never contemplated that the command would be permanently kept in the service but simply so long as the neces- sity might exist. If you have not received the corn, you will not purchase more than 1000 bushels, and you will exercise in its distribution the strictest economy. You speak of the ammunition on hand at Belknap, and say that there is on hand only a few kegs of powder. This the Executive regards as amply sufficient, added to the surplus which Colonel Johnson must turn over upon disbanding his command. You will, therefore, not purchase any more ammunition until further ordered. As to the provisions and supplies at Belknap, you will have them guarded until you consider them perfectly safe, and see that no more borrowing or loaning is permitted. An account has just been presented for axes, camp equipage &c. These articles being only for temporary use, a few axes only were necessary, and the Executive expected that they would be obtained of Colonel Johnson : as to camp equipage, the men are required by law to furnish themselves. The enclosed account, I have no doubt, is all correct, but it is necessary that it should be sworn to by you, as business has been conducted so loosely by disbursing officers of the State that the Executive has been forced to throw every possible guard around the Treasury. When you have sworn to it, return it to this De- partment and it will be approved. The Executive has every confidence in you, and that you will properly conduct the business entrusted to your care, but as an Executive officer, I cannot too frequently remind you of the neces- sity of economy in all things. You will report to this Department as often as possible. Sam Houston.
1 Executive Records, 1~59-1861, pp. 240-241, Texas State Librar~•.
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