WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
256
procuring the advances, has not accounted to this government for the disbursement of one cent; nor has he even thought it worth while to offer any explanation or make any report in reference to the unfortunate expedition ; either as to the amount or description of property entrusted to his care at the outset- the progress of the expedition-the loss of the unfortunate men who perished-the causes leading to its failure, or the final catastrophe. It appears, however, that upon his individual credit he obtained from Gen. Thompson, by drafts upon individuals in the United States, the sum of three thousand dollars, for which, without showing, Mr. McLeod·• is liable. So far as anything can be done in favor of the gentleman who has thus generously stepped forward to the relief of the sufferers, it cannot be doubted that the Honorable Congress will use every exertion in its power to place his claims upon such a footing as that he may not be ·prejudiced. In consequence of the large amount of actual labor to be per- formed by a single assistant in the Executive office, the Hon- orable, the Senate is respectfully requested to order the trans- mission of this communication, with accompanying documents, to the House of Representatives, for its concurrent action. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Congressional Papers, Seventh Congress; also Executive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 185-186. The Red-Lander, January 10, 1843. ~see Houston to Joseph Eve, July 30, 1842. 3 Waddy Thompson, Jr. (January 8, 1798-November 23, 1868), son of Waddy Thompson, Sr., and Eliza (Blackburn) Thompson, served as :Min- ister to Mexico from the United States from February 10, 18-12, to March 9, 1844. For biographical sketches see the Biographical Directory of the American Cong1·ess (1928), p. 1613; and Henry Thompson. Waddy Thomp- son. This last source is a complete story of the man's life and works. 4 See Houston to Alexander Somervell, November 23, 1842.
To THE TEXAS SENATE 1
(Secret)
Executive Department, Washington, December 30, 1842.
To the Honorable, the Senate: I herewith respectfully submit for the consideration and con- stitutional advice and consent of your Honorable Body, the fol- lowing nominations; viz:
Powered by FlippingBook