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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
desire to obtain and which would be necessary for its action. Had the individual whose duty it was reported every fact, the records of the country would have been more complete and the narrative would have furnished data which might have proved useful to the country, if it were possible that a similar expedition should ever again be contemplated. Though it is presumed that while the recollection of the recent adventure remains, the government will neither project nor carry out a similar scheme. No rational being could suppose, for this government to at- tempt by any direct means the procurement of the prisoner's release that it would not add to the rigor of his confinement and in all human probability ensure his destruction. Whatever can be properly done by the Executive, for the mitiga- tion or the alleviation of his sufferings or those of our other valued fellow citizens taken at Bexar, will claim his earnest attention; for he would think poorly of himself, if he did not cherish the most ardent desire for their release, and employ every proper means for their safety and liberation. Sam Houston. 1 Jom-,zals of the House of Rep-,-esentatives of the Revublic of Texas, 7th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 222-223. "Messages of the Presidents," Congressional Papers; also Executive Reco,·d Book, No. 40, pp. 205-207, Texas State Library. ~Jose Antonio Navarro. See Houston to the House of Representatives, January 21, 1842. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING W. W. T. SMITH AS UNITED STATES CONSUL AT MATAGORDA 1 By the President of the Republic of Texas. To all whom it may Concern: Satisfactory evidence having been exhibited to me, that W. W. T. Smith has been appointed Consul of the Government of the United [States] of America for the Port of Matagorda, in this Republic; I do hereby recognize him as such, and declare him free to exercise and enjoy such functions, powers and privileges, as will be allowed to the Consuls of the most favored Nations in the Republic of Texas. In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of the Republic to be hereto affixed.
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