WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
413
JULY, 1843
To E. L. R. WHEELoc.K 1
Washington, July 1, 1843
To Col. E. L. R. Wheelock, Dear Sir-Your favor of the 29th ultimo is at hand, and in reply I have time only to say, that your proceedings in relation to the Indians meet my approbation. We learn here that a company of men from the Upper Colorado has gone into the Indian country towards the San Saba for the ostensible purpose of mining, but we very much fear mischief of the most unfortunate and fatal character to the frontier may be produced by it. It is certainly to be deplored that there are to be found in any part of the country people so far lost to every proper sentiment as thus to jeopardize the lives of the exposed and in many cases defenceless inhabitants of the border. What can one man do, when so many combine to thwart his efforts, disregard the laws and bring ruin, and distress upon our citizens? They imagine that by thus crushing themselves they will bring mortification and odium upon me. They may succeed in the first, but not in the latter. If the people do not now, they will ere long understand my policy and do me justice. I do not submit my acts to the judgment of faction no more than I am governed by the jargon and discord of public clamor. May God save us from the poison and blight of faction-that prolific source of so many evils. We have nothing very late: No arrival from the United States when the mail left Houston-and no news from Commodore Moore. While we hope for the best, we look for the worst. Our Mexican relations have assumed a more promising and hopeful aspect. Let us never dispair of the Republic; but like true citizens obey the laws, love order, be industrious, live eco- nomically, and all will soon be well. Noisy, non-productive and disappointed men, who hate labor and aspire to live upon the people's substance, have already done us great injury abroad. At home they are too well known to be feared. Let every good citizen on the frontier interest himself to pro- tect and conciliate the Indians. If the whites do their simple duty to themselves, they need have no further difficulties with their red neighbors.
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