WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
263
sent, marked No. 2. No. 3 is a copy of a letter~ to Col. Thomas Wm. Ward, Commissioner of the General Land Office, who held the archives of that important department, together with the other archives of the government in charge. The purport of the instructions, and the communications generally will be found to contemplate the most effective manner of securing the public property at Austin. Every precaution that could be suggested was given to render the undertaking successful. The reasons and circumstances inducing such a step have been so often submitted, that it is unnecessary for the Executive now to enter into a minute detail of them. The original measure for their removal was given at a time when the country was actually invaded and when every man in Texas, having a knowledge of the facts, acquiesced in the pru- dence and necessity of such a measure. And though the emer- gency seemed to be temporarily suspended, it has since recurred; and those who before desired the revocation of that order ad- mitted its necessity a second time. We are liable to a similar recurrence continually. At the time these causes arose, the mediation of England with Mexico for peace and the recognition of our independence was pending. Since then, that mediation has been rejected, and through various sources we have heard threats of invasion by Santa Anna. The attempt we have a right to look for; and if it should not occur, it will be owing to convulsions in Mexico and circumstances which we probably cannot foresee. We may an- ticipate a failure on the part of Mexico to invade us; because our hopes and wishes are in unison with such anticipations; but if we act wisely we will make such preparations for security and defence, in the event of invasion, as our means will justify. Pre- caution is the resource and safeguard of the wise; and none but the supine and indifferent will regard with listlessness a danger that is possible, even though it were not probable. Experience has taught us that so long as the archives remain where they are, in the event of invasion a portion of the efficient force of the country will be diverted from the general mass of settlements to that point for their defence. In such a case, that they will be finally overpowered and driven back is not to be doubted. If the archives were removed, it would ensure the co- operation of this force with the main body of our militia to meet the invading army of the enemy, that would most certainly press
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