286
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
at the same time it restricts him from personal command unless he should assume the same by authority of Congress. Although he sincerely deprecates the necessity which might render it proper for him to be invested with personal command ;- yet he can anticipate an emergency which might render it very proper and necessary to the interests of the country for him to do so. He would, therefore, respectfully suggest to the Honorable Congress that if a formidable force should invade the country, and it should be necessary to rally our greatest strength, for the purpose of arresting their advance, he be authorized to assume the com- mand in person. This suggestion arises from various considerations not con- nected with any ambition or desire he might feel on the subject, but such as arise from the fact that if the enemy do advance and find that those who, during their last invasion, participated in the strife, are withdrawn from the conflict and are suspended in the exercise of their full constitutional rights, it will inspire them with additional confidence. Also, if it should be necessary for the government to recede at any time to a place of greater safety, and retire before the advancing enemy, numbers would deem the peril greater than it might otherwise be regarded, be- come disheartened, and thus impair the defences of the country. The veterans of 1836, who would repair to the army finding the chief magistrate, their former companion in arms, was with- drawn from new perils, might not appreciate rightly the circum- stances under which he was absent, and might suppose that it arose from the magnitude of the dangers to be encountered, or that he distrusted the success of our arms. Many, also, might rally to the aid of the country, if he were present, who might not under other circumstances, and thereby increase the means of national defence. If from these considerations the Honorable Congress should think proper to authorize him to assume actual command, upon the advam:e of the enemy as far as the Guadalupe, he will be gratified to have it in his power to render to his country's cause every aid which his circumstances might enable him to perform. But, should their decision be otherwise, he will cherish no dis- pleasure nor withhold any means in his power; but, on the con- trary contribute not only his good wishes but his best exertions to sustain those who may be in command and rejoice at the triumph of our arms.
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