WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
262
Not only the Rio Grande frontier, but also our whole line of settlements, demand the continual presence of a force sufficient to intimidate our enemies from invading us in large bodies, and it will be the part of wisdom to guard now against the conse- quences of the removal of such a force. The expenses will be millions, but the lives of our people are worth more. Nor is this all. If we do not defend the outposts of civilization, the fron- tier must recede until we have it at our very doors. We must also provide for the continuation of our postal serv- ice, so that our people may not be deprived of communication with the world without. If we are to become independent of the Federal Government, let us at once act a manly and self- reliant part. Let not Texas be subject to the humiliation of dependence on a Government which she has thrown off. If we are to separate, let us have the means provided for taking care of ourselves; and from the date of our separation protect our people with our own army, carry our own mails, and sustain ourselves as an independent people should. The Executive has that confidence in the people of Texas, to believe that if their minds are resolved on separation, they will furnish, if in their power, the millions necessary to maintain that new position. The Executive relies upon the wisdom of the Legislature to devise the ways and means to sustain the government, and he can not but press upon the consideration of the Legislature (a large majority of whom regard disunion as a fixed fact) the importance of providing against that contingency. He has now performed his whole duty. If the Legislature provides the means to maintain the public faith, to defend the frontier, and sustain the government in all its departments, the Executive, faithful to the trust reposed in him by the people, will see to it, so far as his own powers will permit, that the honor and interest of Texas do not suffer in his hands. If these be unprovided for and the government is left in its present condition, he will feel that this last appeal to the wisdom, justice, and patriotism of your honorable body will justify him to the world, should his endeavors to care for the interest of the people be fruitless. Sam Houston. 1 Messages of the Governors of Texas, '1,'exas State Library; Vv. C. Crane, The Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Ho11ston, 642-645; .!01m1al of the Senate, State of Texas, Eighth Legislature ( Extra Session), PP· 98-101 (here the message is dated February 5). These copies are identical as to wording; they differ slightly in paragraph division.
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