WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
29
Order will always triumph over confusion. Similar conduct on the part of Texas will ensure to her arms victory and inde- pendence. All her past misfortunes can be traced to the fatal influence of discord and insubordination. We are now called upon to act in unison and permit no di- version of our energies. Our armies must be organized according to law. Our companies, battalions and regiments must be formed agreeably to its strictest letter; and in the field they must be governed by the "army regulations." It is desired that volun- teer companies-each consisting of fifty-six men, rank and file, -should be immediately formed throughout the Republic, com- posed of such portion of our citizens as can best leave their homes, and whose absence will not injuriously affect the agricultural in- terest of the country. They will elect their own officers, and forthwith report to the Secretary of War a muster roll of the company-showing the names of the men and the condition and charetcter of their arms. The Executive has the power to accept the tender of their services, and they will be permitted to remain at their homes until the emergencies of the country shall require a call upon them, when a compliance on their part will be ex- pected, consonant with that promptitude and the chivalry with which Texians are always ready to meet the enemy in the field. In the meantime .it is believed that no citizen will hesitate to contribute in giving facilities to the formation of such com- panies, as, with such other aid as we can command, will enable the country to maintain a war without materially burdening the mass of the population. Means voluntarily contributed might render essential service to the country, without being oppressive to the <loners. A practice which has hitherto obtained in T'exas, and one not sanctioned by law-the impressment of private property-has heretofore and ever shall meet the unqualified reprobation of the President. It creates disorders in an army-is oppressive to the citizen, and often gives counte:t?ance to injustice and a cloak to thievishness. It is frequently used in time of excitement as a pretext to enable individuals to serve the country, when, in truth, their sole object is fraud and imposition-or for a purpose equally base, that of procuring means to escape from the limits of Texas and avoid the difficulties in which she might be involved. No practice is better calculated to inflict indiscriminate injustice upon the citizen than that of impressment. The feeble, who most require protection, are frequently the victims of the nefarious
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