Wa1T1Ncs oF SAM HousToN, 184-2
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glory will be the consummation of his happiness. The anticipa- tion of its permanency will be cherished by every patriot now living; and he trusts their exertions will be united in perfecting and giving perpetuity to its free institutions. No act should be done by them which could have a tendency to defeat the great object of its creation and present existence. If the Executive were to sanction the exercise of the powers granted by the bill, he would consider it an act of war against all his hopes and desires for its future and permanent welfare. It might so happen in after times, that a great excitement and difficulty might exist in the country, and that to remedy the exist- ing misfortunes of the times, measures might be contemplated of an extraordinary character and dangerous to liberty. The present action of Congress would be brought up, referred to and adopted as a precedent, deriving authority from its antiquity and the associations with which it might be connected; and some individual, clothed with similar power, and deriving authority from this example alone, in the prosecution of ambitions and selfish ends, might exercise it in the destruction of the liberties of his country. Therefore, I can never sanction~ the adoption of a principle at war with the convictions of my mind, the practice of my life and the liberties of my fellow men. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Congressional Paver.~, Sixth Congress; also Exec1Ltive Reco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 126-131, Texas State Library. Telegravk and Texas Register, July 27, 1842. Colorado Gazette and Adver- tiser, July 30, 1842. 2 Concerning this veto message, Andrew Jackson wrote Houston on August 17, 1842, as follows: Hermitage, August 17, 1842 Samuel Houston, President of Texas My dear Sir, I have just received your letter of 23rd ultimo with its enclosure "A Bill to authorize offensive war against Mexico and your veto, and asking my opinion of the same." I wish to God I had strength enough to go into the subject fully-but th:s I have not, and all my debilitated and feeble strength will permit me, is to assure you that I approve your veto fully. To make offensive war without ample means both in money and men would be the hight of folly and madness, and must result in defeat and disgrace. To invade a country with drafted militia for a limited time, without a regular army enlisted and for and during the war, would be the hight of folly, and lead to the destruction of the army attempting it, and the disgrace of the general leading it. If you had not vetoed this bill, it would have lead to the destruction of your country and disgrace of all concerned in the invasion of Mexico, as the attempt under your present situation must have inevitably failed,.
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