WRITINGS OF S,\l\o! HOUSTON, 184,2
116
Captain Williams, is it not equally so for the Honorable Congress to remove his successor? The law upon which their action is based makes no distinctio11 between the departments that exercise the removing power. The Executive, therefore, is compelled to come to the conclusion that the action of Congress has been precipitate, a11d without that reflection which should ever characterize the conduct of delibera- tive bodies. Mr. Williams was not deprived of any commission, nor of any office which entitled him to a commission in our service-he was simply dismissed from the service, in which he held no commission-and this the Executive had the right to do. A court martial was not convened for his trial, for the reasons above given, nor was it necessary - the facts alleged against Mr. Williams were admitted. There was, therefore, no necessity for a court martial to be assembled to ascertain those facts. For these reasons, the Executive is compelled to withhold his approval from the resolution now before him. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Cong1·essional Papen:, Sixth Congress; also in Executive Reco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 124-125, Texas State Library.
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TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1
Executive Department, City of Houston, July 22, 1842.
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives: The bill authorizing offensive war against Mexico and for other purposes, has been presented to the Executive for his approval. He has rendered to it that consideration which the importance of the measure, as well as the provisions contained in it demand. In contemplating a war of invasion, the Executive has at all times been satisfied that to effect anything truly advantageous to the country, means would be necessary; and assurances from various sources that they would be furnished in abundance, in- cluded expeditions as great as even the most credulous would have entertained. Men and means were promised to any extent and all seemed alive to the subject of invasion. Enthusiasm was uni- versal, and few seemed willing to halt and ponder calmly our situation. In various parts of the Republic, the feeling was so great, that many were unwilling to await the action of the govern- ment, but without counting the cost, and in despite of the Execu- tive or the sanction of any constitutional authority, were anxious
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