WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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My Dear Sir, Mr. ·washington arrived here yesterday and left im- mediately to join General Houston who is now at Cedar Points. You will probably hear from them both at that place or from Galveston. The storm and excitement occasioned here by the small party which took Bexar and Goliad, and the rumor of a formidable Mexican Invasion about this time (which turned out untrue) has pretty much subsided and settled down into a cool but resolute determination to march against the enemy with the purpose of extorting by force of arms a recognition of our in- dependence, and not to lay them down until this shall have been accom- plished. No troops have yet. been ordered out by the President. Gen. A. Somer- ville has been directed to take command of the troops in the field (consist- ing in all of about 700 volunteers but they have refused to be commanded by him and have chosen Burleson;-as they say, being volunteers, the right to choose all officers belongs to them.) The last news from Burleson was that he was moving his forces down to Calrilla's Ranche in order to form a junction with Col. Owen's forces and then crossing the Rio Grande. A want of proper organization and consequently of discipline will, I fear, be productive of unfortunate consequences unless they return to a sense of duty-and place themselves under the constitutional authority of the country. The news from below is that there were 400 Mexicans at San Gertrudes, catching and breaking horses for the enemy.- This is, however, very un- certain. The Archives and officers of gove1·nment have been ordered to this place;-the people on the Colorado have protested against this course and consequently the Archives have thus far been detained. This will em- barrass the operations of the government and be productive of serious injury to the country in more ways than one.- The officers will be here, I pre- sume, in a few days.- The troops which went from this place have nearly all returned. I hope to God the President will act with promptness and energy and follow up the Manifesto by deeds corresponding to the words of that instru- ment. I want to see in the course of six weeks Matamoras, Tampico, and Vera Cruz.--in our power and a formadable Army in the valley of the Rio Grande threatening all Northern Mexico, and even Mexico herself. Then, I think, we may negotiate and settle the matter in short order. A. Jones. To Col Daingerfield. P. S. The President has agreed to grant Commissions to a few Privateers to cruise against Mexican commerce. [Endorsed] To Col. Wm. Henry Daingerfield, &C. &C. &C. Houston City, March 31, 1842. A. Jones No. 8 Ansd. April 16th, 1842. 7 See Houston to William Christy, March 29, 1836. TO COLONEL THOMAS WILLIAM W ARD 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, April 4, 1842. To Col. Thomas Wm. Wa1·d : 2 Sir-You are hereby invested ·with all proper and necessary
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