WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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consisting of about 800, attacked a party of about 200 emigrants at Lipantitlan. They were repulsed with loss and retreated out of the country. The last undzr Gen. Woll, of about 1300, attacked and took San Antonio the second time by surprise, during the session of the District Court. His force was composed of regu- lars, rancheros, and Indians. The Indians employed by the Mexi- cans are fragments of bands originally from the United States, but now located within the limits of Texas. This government has always refused to employ the services of Indians, when tendered against Mexico, and has sought every possible means to mitigate, rather than increase the calamities of war. Persisting in this effort, the President has had recourse to the present measure, with the hope to subserve the cause of humanity. Should this effort fail, the government must resort to retaliatory measures, growing out of our peculiar situation, which are to be deprecated by every Christian and generous feeling. The rulers of nations are responsible for their preservation, and as a last resort, must adopt a just retaliation. What is to be deplored in a war of this character, is that the unoffending and defenceless become victims of the most relentless cruelty. War, in its most generous and noble aspect, is accompanied by great calamities. Nations are not benefitted by it, and it must be productive of great individual sufferings. But when individuals and nations are exasperated by repeated wrongs, even cruelty itself may be rendered tolerable, if it be used as retaliation for injuries long endured. The mass- acres and cruelties which have been inflicted upon Texas, since the commencement of her revolution, have been responded to by a generous forebearance, but that cannot be expected longer to exist. The object of Mexico, in her course, cannot be misunderstood. By incursions of the character complained of, the spirits of our husbandmen and farmers are depressed - the cry of invasion is kept up, and the excitement incidental to war prevents emi- gration, and embarrasses our resources by deterring men of en- terprise and capital from making importations of goods into our country. This, for a time, may avail her something, but the aggregate of human suffering will be poor recompense for the advantages she may gain. The origin and genius, and character of the people of Texas, are guarantees for her ultimate success. Nations that contribute to her advancement will command her gratitude. Never, since 1836, has Mexico attempted anything like a general invasion of the country, or conducted the war upon
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