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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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therefore the high and imperious duty of those to whom the government of the country is confided, to adopt such a course of policy as will effectually counteract the designs of Mexico. The question then arises, are we capable, with the resources at our command, of preventing these evils; and if so, shall those re- sources be employed for that object? From the circumstances which have transpired, the Executive was induced to believe it was now quite time to adopt and pursue such a course of policy as will secure to us peace and the recog- nition of our independence. Under the conviction that immediate invasion was meditated, he felt himself fully authorized, under existing laws, to invite emigrants from the United States with a view of giving protection to our advanced settlements; and so far as he had power, and even beyond the means afforded him, by the government, he has proceeded in the organization of the militia, so as to place them in the best possible condition to prose- cute the war, should the Honorable Congress deem it necessary or expedient to adopt such a course. At an early day, it is ex- pected that the proper Department will be prepared to report the condition of the militia. Emigration to some extent, has been the consequence of the invitation of the Executive; and thus far the emigrants have been sustained almost entirely by private contributions. That they can be any longer supported without the action of the government, cannot be expected. No matter how great the feeling of patriot- ism may be, nor how strong the conviction on the frontier of the necessity for offensive action against Mexico, individuals cannot sustain a war which properly belongs to the whole nation. The prompt attention of Congress is therefore, invited to this subject. The time between the 20th and 28th of July has been designated for the general rendezvous of emigrants upon the frontier; and if Congress should think proper to decide the invasion should not take place, it is important that the fact should be immediately known. If, on the other hand, war should be determined on, it is indispensable that cooperation should immediately take place be- tween the emigrants and the militia of the country in its prose- cution. The citizens who reside upon the frontier of the Southwest, subject to continual alarms, and he who is located in conscious security upon the banks of the Sabine, constitute each an integral part of the national community, and, under the law, the protec- tion of them as well as all our citizens, in the rights of life and
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