470
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
country laid off into convenient collectoral districts, and a col- lector appointed for each by the Secretary of the Treasury, and nominated by the President to the Senate, it is believed the existing defect~ might be in a great measure obviated. The col- lector thus appointed, under bonds in amounts sufficient to indemnify the government, and with appropriate penalties, would be more directly responsible to the Head of the Treasury for the honest and faithful discharge of his duties. As it is, that Depart- ment remains, in many instances, ignorant of the very names of the collectors of taxes until they themselves choose to make their report; and is thus deprived of the means of protecting the public interests and of enforcing in all sections of the Republic, as is contemplated by the laws, an equal support of the institu- tions of the country. The Executive, therefore, earnestly recom- mends the adoption of this system, believing it will tend to the general good and operate impartially upon all our citizens. It may be well to allude to a fact which has greatly prejudiced the character of the nation. The charge that we had repudiated our government liabilities, has been industriously urged, not only abroad but at home as a cause of distrust and an accusation of bad faith. Other governments of high respectability have done so--T·exas never has, and I trust never will. It is true that our liabilities were increased to so large an amount during the .ad- ministration of my predecessor, as to render it not only expedient, but indispensably necessary, to defer their payment until the country could so far recover as to be able to comply fully with all its obligations. The fact that many of these liabilities were incurred for purposes not only not sanctioned by the legislature but entirely illegal and impolitic, has never, with me constituted a reason for a refusal to pay them at the earliest moment within our power.-Notwithstanding the mischievous and utterly groundless publications upon this subject, emanating from some of our public journals, the good faith of the nation will finally be thoroughly vindicated, by the redemption of every dollar for which it stands pledged. That we have not been able to do so before this time, has, perhaps, been a fault as well as a mis- fortune; but nations like individuals are sometimes compelled to yield to the force of circumstances. But Texas has done all in her power, consistent with a due regard to self existence, to preserve, even under these adverse circumstances, the national faith. From an examination of our statute books, it will appear that holders of our liabilities have
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