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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1861
Let us give no strength to their arbitrary dogmas by any action of ours; and whatever may be our future course let us keep proudly in the ascendant the great principle upon which rests the idea of American liberty. During the present month the Executive has had the honor to receive the Hon. J. M. Calhoun, Commissioner from the State of Alabama, upon the attitude of our national affairs. The cor- respondence upon that subject is herewith submitted to the Legis- lature. In conclusion, gentlemen, the Executive would again press upon your attention the great importance of maintaining the public credit and faith, and would warn you against the consequences of involving the people in debt at this stage of our affairs. We can better pay as we go than we can meet accummulated debt in the future. May a kind Providence guide you aright. Sam Houston. 1 Journal of the Senate, State of Texas, Eighth Legislature (Extra Ses- sion), pp. 6-21; Journal of the House of Representatives, State of Texas, Eighth Legislat1ire (Extra Session), pp. 11-26; W. C. Crane, Life and Select Liter011-y Remains of Sam Houston, 631-642; John Henry Brown, History of Texas, II, 388-390; Homer S. Thrall, History of Texas, 380-381 (extract); The Southern Intelligencer, January 23, 1861. These sources, except Thrall, are practfoally identical in wording; they differ somewhat in paragraph division. To EDWARD CLARK 1 Executive Department, Austin, Texas, January 30, 1861. To Hon. Edward Clark, President of the Senate: Sir: Enclosed, I have the honor to submit the report of the Superintendent of the State Lunatic Asylum, and commend the same to the consideration of your honorable body. Sam Houston. 1 Journal of the Senate, State of Texas, 1861, p. 55. This document is also in the House Journal of 1861. MESSAGE TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE 1 Executive Department, Austin, Texas, January 30, 186t. Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: I have the honor to transmit to your honorable bodies the Joint Resolutions, adopted by the Legislature of the State of Tennessee,
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