285
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
of the forts, arsenals, and public property within this State; and if on demand for the possession by the State Executive, you are authorized, or would it be conformable to your sense of duty to place in the possession of the authorities of the State, the forts, arms, munitions and property of the Federal Government, on the order of the Executive, to an officer of the State empowered to receive and receipt for the same. This course is suggested by the fact that information has reached the Executive that an effort will be made by an unauthorized mob to take forcibly and appropriate the public stores and property to uses of their own, assuming to act on behalf of the State. Any arrangements made with you by General Smith will be sanctioned and approved by me; and should you require any assistance to aid you in resisting the contemplated unauthorized attack on the public property, and to place the same in possession of the State authorities, you are authorized to call on the Mayor and Civil authorities of San Antonio for such assistance as you may deem necessary. I will hope to hear from you, General, through my confidential Agent, so soon as he can have the honor of a conference with you on matters embraced in the present epoch of our national affairs. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Sam Houston. P.S. The Legislature will meet tomorrow. I will, as soon as possible, apprize you of its action. General Twiggs replied within two days, as follows: Head Quarters, Dept. of Texas, San Antonio, Jan. 22d, 1861. His Excellency, Sam Houston, Governor of Texas, Austin: Sir :-Yours of the 20th is received. I am without instructions from Washington in regard to the disposition of the public prop- erty here, or the troops, in the event of the State's seceding; after secession, if the Executive of the State makes a demand of this department, he will receive an answer. I sincerely hope that the threatenings indicated in your letter from parties unauthorized by the Executive of Texas, may not take place. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, D. E. Twiggs, Bv't Major General Commander. · . Some days prior to its adjournment, the Executive informed a Committee of the Convention of his determination to effect the
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