WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
526
Were an attempt now made to survey them, and ever prove successful, hindrances ,vould, nevertheless, still exist to their advantageous disposition by sale. Individuals would now contend for the rights acquired by occupancy and locations made prior to any action of the Congress. And were the lands now exposed to sale, and personal resistance not made, rights would still be asserted by occupants and those claiming under locations, which would have a strong tendency to greatly depreciate their value- if, indeed, they should sell at all. Purchasers would not desire to be involved in litigation, or to become members of a community distracted by schisms, arising from adverse pretensions to title. But the locality of that section of the country, its fertility, its convenience, the salubrity of its climate and the excellence of its water, will, as they have already to a great extent, furnish inducements to its immediate settlement, if no longer embarrassed by the existing laws. From the character of these lands, they would furnish com- fortable homes for several thousand families; and the territory lying, as it does, between the Neches and Sabine rivers, and extending to the Cross Timbers, would, almost at once, be inhabited by an enterprising, efficient, and thrifty population. Emigrants from the Western portions of the United States would soon ascertain its true condition, the character of its productions, and its many desirable qualities; and emigrate with capital to enable them to acquire and improve it. It would also, give to that section of the frontier, a population which, whenever required, would afford to it the most ready and efficient protection. Circumstances have changed so materially since the enactment of the first law on this subject, that there appears to remain no sufficient reason for any longer continuing the harrassing ques- tion before the nation. At that day there were few obstacles to an advantageous disposition of those lands; and our pecuniary condition then required assistance and our currency guaranties for its redemption. The payment of our national liabilities has been postponed for the present, and without the additional pledge of the proceeds of these lands for the redemption of our issues, the currency has been raised to par. Were this subject to remain longer undisposed of, no probable advantage, in the opinion of the Executive would accrue to the country. Our interests are already too much diversified to desire either the increase or continuance of such diversity; and that it
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