WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
473
abroad, as a nation, and induce distrust as to our capability of self-government. It is within the power of Congress to define these offences, affix the proper penalties and authorize the officers entrusted with the execution of the laws to punish offenders in a speedy and certain manner. It may become necessary to our national -existence that these things should be corrected; and it is also due to the peaceful and law abiding citizen that his rights should be protected and his person secure under the shield and operation of the law.-So long as he remains either in person or property, the strongest incentives to a patriotic course of conduct, are wanting. The obligations existing between the government and its citizens are reciprocal. As it is impossible to foretell the result of the negotiations now pending between this country and Mexico, it is deemed prudent, and the Executive earnestly recommends to the Honorable Con- gress, that a sufficient fund .be placed at his disposal for any emergency which might require the hostile action of the govern- ment. And he would likewise recommend that such laws be enacted as will enable him to reclaim the public property and arms which have been from time to time issued to individuals, and which are now scattered throughout the Republic. He would also further recommend that, during the progress of the negotiations alluded to, a force be maintained at such point or points on our frontier as may be necessary for preserving order and suppressing any irregularities or disturbances which might arise from the acts of unauthorised persons within the territories occupied by either of the parties concerned in those negotiations. A correct policy dictates the propriety of prevent- ing for the future, as far as practicable, the existence of the bands of robbers which have heretofore frequented that district of country. An estimate of the amount required for this service will be furnished. For the last two years, the officer acting upon our south,vestern frontier has rendered the most important services to the country -and even more than could have been expected from the limited means appropriated to sustain him. But five hundred dollars were given by the last Congress for the support of the force under his command. This was totally inadequate; and debts were necessarily contracted which, when the services rendered are taken into view, are of an inconsiderable amount; for the pay- ment of which it is hoped the Congress will readily make the requisite appropriation.
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