WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
258
to the consul, but would, it is believed, result in salutary ad- vantages to the country, by subjecting to scrutiny and inspection the persons, names, character and pursuits of any and every in- dividual introducing himself within our limits. Thus would our population be in a great degree protected from the inroads of a class of persons of ill fame and criminal notoriety, who but too frequently seek a home among us, and, instead of making good citizens, blight the peace and morals of the community which may receive them. The rates of fees, it is thought, may be more equitably grad- uated by the Executive than by any positive enactment; for the reason that the perquisites at some consular stations would be in amount, much larger than at others, and will vary under different circumstances. For instance, the rates prescribed for the station at New Orleans should, at this time, be much less than elsewhere; for there a much larger amount of business would be done, and the aggregate of compensation to the Consul would, at very moderate rates, be ample. I would, also, respectfully ask the notice of the Honorable, the Senate, to the following extract of a private note addressed to the President by our Chargee d'Affaires in Europe, and dated London, October 26th, 1842. He says : "I shall leave the supervision of our affairs here in charge of Mr. Rate, 2 our consular agent. Let me, on this occasion, invite your attention to consider Mr. Rate's appointment. His house is one of the most respectable in London-one of his partners is a director of the Bank of England, and Mr. Rate enjoys the best reputation for capacity in mercantile affairs and for integrity. He has been judiciously active since he undertook the consular agency." Sam Houston. 1 E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Journals of the Senate, Re1mblic of Texas, 1886-1845, pp. 258-260. Executive Reco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 186-187, Texas State Library. 2 Lachlan McIntosh Rate, a merchant of London. JANUARY, 1843 A REQUISITION ON THE GOVERNORS OF THE VARIOUS STATES OF THE UNITED STATES 1 [This document, dated January 2, 1843, is a request for the arrest and return of one Poufief, Pouief, or Ponfief. Executi'Ve Record Book, No. 40, pp. 187-188, Texas State Library.]
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