WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
514
comparatively small amount usually disbursed for the support of officers residing at the seat of government, of only about thirty thousand dollars; and hence no reliance could be placed upon the defence of the place by the diminished population. From three sides, the enemy could approach it within one mile without the probability of discovery; and its remoteness from the settlements would preclude, in such an event all hope of succor or pursuit, until the enemy, after destroying the place, should have made good their retreat. As the Congress has heretofore been informed, the Executive removed from Austin under the emergency contemplated by the constitution-that emergency has not yet ceased to exist; and, until such is the case, he deems it expedient to remain with his officers, and the records of the nation under his control, at some place of safety. The distance of Austin, also, from the coast, renders it inaccessible to intelligence from abroad, which, at this period, is of the highest importance to the nation, except after much inconvenience and delay: Nor is it believed that foreign ministers accredited to this government would be willing to reside at a point subject to so many inconveniences and hazards, as the city of Austin. In addition to the foregoing reasons, I will be excused for referring to my convictions that ,vashington is the constitutional seat of government, and that it was so regarded by the convention at the date of the formation and adoption of the constitution. None other was known or named. That body had been called to and met at this place, and here the constitution was framed and other acts done, recognizing it as the seat of government. The third section of the general provisions of the constitution, in providing for emergencies, declares that "the President and Heads of Departments shall keep their offices at the seat of gov- ernment, or unless, in cases of emergency, in time of war, the public interest should require their removal." As no other point. or place was known or named as the seat of government, this provision was intended to apply to the government established at Washington; and without such provision, the government could not have removed to any other place and retained a constitutional existence-unless indeed the people had intervened in the exercise of their reserved rights, and given the power of removal. Under the constitutional authority referred to, the President acl inte1~im, with his cabinet, removed to sundry places; and the first Congress was convened by his proclamation at the town of Columbia.
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