WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
229
Prompitude and despatch may save the records of the nation, and even the nation itself! Sam Houston. 1 Exec11tive Reco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 170-171, Texas State Library. The Morning Star, F~bruary 4, 1843. Teleg1·aph and Texas Register, February 8, 1843.
TO COLONEL THOMAS WILLIAM W ARD 1
Conficlential
·washington, December 10, 1842.
To Col. Thos. Wm. Ward. Dear Sir: I have this day written Col Thos. I. Smith, and Capt. Eli Chandler upon the subject of the removal of the archives and government stores now remaining and under your charge, as special agent, at the city of Austin. I have been assured by one of those gentlemen that he would effect so desirable and necessary an object. They are certainly in a very precarious and unsafe situation. What the Mexican or Indian enemy might not do, I am led to believe from the various threats that have reached my ears, might be accomplished by the irresponsible, unprincipled and lawless among our own citizens. I am told that their destruc- tion by fire has been frequently denounced by some of those who opposed their removal. Such an event would produce not only incalculable but irreparable injury to the people of Texas, and must not, if possible, be permitted. Col. Smith and Capt. Chandler will act with secrecy, efficiency and dispatch as their prudence and discretion shall dictate. When ready to begin the work, they will report to you, from whom, I doubt not they will receive every facility in your power. It is very important that the iron chest belonging (I believe) to the quartermaster's department, which was secreted under that office, and which has been since removed to Lucketts, in the neighborhood, should be secured and brought away. It contains evidence of individual indebtedness to a heavy amount. There are also commissaries, stores, soap, etc., which should be brought away. Though I have not often written you, yet have I often thought of you, and your unpleasant position, surrounded as you are by so many difficulties and disagreeable circumstances. I hope that you will soon be relieved and placed in a community where you may be free from so many harassments.
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