WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
513
fall in with on his way to the Comanches, upon such goods as he may take with him on his contemplated trip-powder and lead excluded. In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand at Washington,
the 18th day of January, 1844. W. D. Miller, Private Secretary.
Sam Houston.
1 Exccntive Rccorcl Book, No. 40, p. 303, Texas State Library.
To THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' Executive Department, Washington, January 18th, 1844. To the Honorable, the House of Representatives: A bill, "requiring the Executive and Heads of Departments to return to the Seat of Government," has been submitted to the President, and in returning the same without approval, it becomes his duty to assign his reasons therefor. Although our relations with Mexico anrl the fro!ltier Indians are at this moment of a peaceful character, yet they have not assumed such stability as to give certainty to our future calcula- tions. We know not how long they will continue as they now are. The existing armistice may be broken off. We should there- fore be prepared for -its interruption as well as its continuance. In the event of a renewal of hostilities with Mexico, our arms and munitions of walr :cleposited at Austin, would, from its detached and defenceless position on the frontier, be liable at any time to be captured by a battalion or company of the enemy's cavalry, and our public stores carried away or destroyed by them. Though this, of itself would be a great calamity and place us in serious embarrassment; yet the destruction of our public archives would, if possible, be even a more irreparable injury, and create confusion, distrust and discouragement among our whole popula- tion. The evidence of their rights would be destroyed, and the dissatisfaction necessarily consequent upon their losses would greatly retard our national prosperity and advancement. In times of hostility, heretofore, the vicinity of Austin, and even the City itself, with two regular regiments in the field have not been free from Indian incursions; and now, if war should recommence with the Comanches and other Indian tribes we could not but look for scenes equally melancholy and disastrous. The population attracted to Austin by the disbursement of millions of dollars per annum, could not now be sustained by the
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