WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
509
The dignity, as well as the interests of the nation, requires, as the Executive believes, a strict fulfillment of all its pledges. If individuals are not protected in their just rights, it will be utterly impossible that any confidence should exist; and the consequences must naturally be langour, indecision, and failure in everything wherein the government has any occasion for individual enter- prise. The Executive is assured from many sources, both in Europe and America, that many emigrants are already on their way to the colonies to be settled under existing contracts-many have already arrived, and many more will (unless all faith in the government is destroyed), make our vacant territory their future home. A very powerful and wealthy association at Mayence in Germany, is on the eve of commencing the introduction of a large number of German families into western Texas. By affording a few facilities and observing a strict regard for the laws, much may be done towards the settlement and protection of that por- tion of our vacant territory by a population distinguished for its industry and thrift. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Congressional Papers; also, E xecutive Reco,·d Book, No. 40, pp. 299-300, Texas State Library. Journals of the Senate of the Republic of Texas, 8th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 99-100. ThG Red-Lande,·, February 24, 1844. To THE TEXAS SENATE 1 Executive Department, Washington, January 11th, 1844. To the Honorable, the Senate: The Executive has the honor to communicate to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of inquiry of this date, that the sum of ten thousand dollars will probably be required for Indian purposes for the current year. In this amount will be included any liabilities already incurred which may not be met from the appropriations heretofore made. It will be necessary to hold one or more councils with the Indians during the present year; and provision must be made for the purchase of the presents usually distributed upon all such occasions, as well as for the pay of the commissioners, super- intendents, agents, messengers, and other incidental expem,es. The several resolutions of the SE>nate cttlling upon the Ex- ecutive for a statement of the mode in which the funds heretofore
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