WRITINGS OF SA?.I HOUSTON, 1842
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thereby injury equal to that inflicted by the Mexican invasion of 1836. The Constitution has reserved to the Executive the right to remove the offices when he may deem proper, in time of vVar, for the security of the archives of the Government. The contingency has arrived, in the opinion of the Executive; and he is the sole judge of the necessity. The measure was not adopted until he was satisfied both of the necessity and the propriety of such a course. From the locality of Austin, it is certainly as approachable and as liable to surprise as Bexar was; and the inducements to an advance upon it much greater. It is needless for me to suggest to you the evils which would result to our country from the fact that a Mexican force had taken the capital of the Nation a.ncl cle. stroyed the archives. Texas, now struggling with difficulties, would be overwhelmed by such a calamity. Abroad it would de- stroy all our prospects: and we ought to hazard nothing, since we must look abroad for assistance; so far, at least, as our credit and the sympathies of the world are concerned. To oppose the orders of the Executive, when he is in the exer- cise of his constitutional functions, is insurrection. Aware that some acts of sedition have been prepetrated by individuals holding office under the government, I call upon you as the second officer known to the Constitution to put down all insurrectory acts and conduct, and to sustain the Executive in the exercise of his constitutional duties-feeling confident that you will not fail to maintain the oath which we have solemnly taken to support the constitution and the laws. The present moment is one fraught with important conse- quences to Texas, and upon our conduct and actions the weal or woe must depend. If volunteers from the United States find us in a seditious or insurrectory state, they will not remain in Texas to unite their efforts or their destiny with a people who will not regard the constitution, and thereby show that they are incapable of self-government. They know our past history and among the causes of our misfortunes they will rank the conduct of the General Council in deposing Governor Smith, and their acts done in violation of the organic law. The Alamo not being blovvn up, and Colonel Fannin's disobedience of orders, all arose from a spirit of insubordination. These things produced to Texas the greatest calamities, as they gave rise to panic, and panic to the desolation and waste of our country. Now, if the same spirit
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