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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
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power and means, might have been collected for the future service of the country. The number of efficient arms now on hand does not exceed two hundred. Should Texas have to embody a force for resistance, it should be composed principally of infantry and riflemen. Comparatively few mounted gunmen or cavalry, with some companies of scouts, and spies will be necessary. Our men are without discipline; and when they are once called into camp, to remedy that evil should be the unceasing duty of the officer in command. If individuals are permitted to repair to the camp mounted, their attention will necessarily be called to the care of their horses. A neglect of duty, great confusion and increase of labor will be the conse- quence whilst their minds will be diverted as well as their time from the subjects of organization and discipline. The establish- ment of subordination, which will be all-important, will be found much more difficult than it would otherwise be, where a similarity and uniformity of circumstances prevailed with the men. It is presumed to be the duty of every able bodied man in the Republic of proper age to rally in defence of his rights. Though this is the case we often find that persons are delinquent and that in times of great emergency, those who have the most important interest in the country, find means to evade its just requirements. It is therefore, respectfully suggested that such measures be adopted as, in the event of invasion will command the services of the militia en masse. As it is now, substitutes are often admitted, fitted out at the expense of the individual whose personal service is required, and the principal stands acquitted of duty, whilst, in many cases the substitute has no interest in the country; and often after having received the fee from his employer engages his time and means in removing himself beyond the Sabine. if those who have an interest in the country are required to render personal service, the safety of their homes, their families and the sacred rights of the country would constitute them a corps that would prove itself invincible to the enemy and victorious in battle. Men merely mercenary would be far more likely to abandon a cause which seemed diffi- cult or for the present desperate. In arranging for the defence of the nation, our exertions ought to be proportionate to the magnitude of the achievement and the difficulty of the task. Every means that can be brought to bear, so as to give the greatest efficiency to our action, should be subsidised and employed. We should consider by what means
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