WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
248
The adoption of this course of policy would not be at variance with the principles of civilized warfare; for to embarrass an enemy by every means in our power, not at war with the dictates of humanity, is universally conceded to be justifiable. And whilst the Indians would be thus employed, ·they would not be permitted to violate any principle or law of humanity. Mexico has em- ployed exasperated savages against us in the field of battle and has sought to stimulate them throughout our borders to outrage and blood. The happiest results are to be expected from a pacifi- cation with the Indians; and we shall have the strongest guaran- ties for their fidelity to our cause in the fact that they have been E:ngaged for years in hostility against us; for they will naturally feel solicitous to confirm our friendship by evincing a zeal in our service. They may be made as valuable for their friendship as they have been injurious by their hostility. The several papers, No. 22, 23, 24, 25, being original despatches 8 from the Honorable Ashbel Smith, our Charge d'Affaires in Europe, are herewith submitted for the examination of the Hon- orable Congress. It is requested that, after they shall have been read, an order may be made for their return to the Department of State. It is also requested that this message, with all the accompanying documents, be transmitted, under injunctions of secrecy to the Honorable the Senate for their perusal. Sam Houston 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Cong1·essional Papers; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 176-180, Texas State Library. E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jom"lials of the Senate, Re11ublic of Texas, 1886-1845, pp. 244- 251. Telegraph and Texas Register, January 7, 17, 1844; The Nlon1i11g Sta,·, January 11, 1844; The Red-Lander, February 24, 1844. 2 See Document A appended to this message as printed in Winkler (ed.), Secret Journals of the Senate, Re1111blic of Texas, 18,'JG-1845, 251-254. 3 For this estimate see Appendix to the Journals of the House of Repre- sentatives of the Republic of Texa.s, Seventh Congress, 29. ~The individual mentioned here was probably Frederick Dawson, a member of a firm of shipbuilders and contractors of Baltimore, Maryland. After the Texas revolution and the set up of the Republic of Texas, this firm sold, on credit, to the new Republic, five ships with which to establish a national navy; this same firm also advanced money and naval supplies to Texas, also chiefly on credit. Texas had never been able to pay for the ships, nor even repay the money advanced for naval supplies. Frederick Dawson came to be about as well known in all the Texas congresses, up to the time of annexation, as the members themselves, for he was always on hand to press the claims of his firm, and to collect payment if possible.. But he ,~~s never successful in collecting much. After annexation he contmued to V1S1t
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