WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
527
would create an influence at no distant day upon the legislation of the country there ·can be no doubt. For the advancement of local and sectional interests, we often find combinations formed in legislative bodies; and the experience of other countries teaches us that it is better to relinquish the hope of doubtful gain than subject the country to injurious influences, which only acquire strength from the lapse of time and produce results in legislation, adverse to the general interest.- Where legislative bodies are composed of but few members, as ours are, a small sectional interest can be so managed as to induce and determine legislative action on matters affecting the interests of the whole nation, to a most pernicious extent. The Executive trusts, that he has not misapprehended the true influence and importance of this subject, nor failed to estimate the general advantages which may result from the course he now recommends : he therefore, has no hesitation in recommending, as he does, to the Honorable Congress, the entire repeal of all laws on the subject of the Cherokee lands, so that that territory may be left in the same situation in which it was previous to any legislation in relation to it. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Congressio11<1l Papers, Eighth Congress; also Executive Reco1·d Book, No. 40, pp. 311-313. Journals of the House of Rep1·esenta.tives of the Rep1tblic of Texas, 8th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 314- 316. The Red-La1ulcr, February 24, 1844. Telegraph a11d Texas Register, February 14, 1844. Enclosed within Houston's message, Congressional Pa.pers, is to be found this endorsement written in pencil on a small scrap of paper: "Resolved that the Committee on Public lands to whom was referred the message of His Excellency, the President, in relation to the repeal of all Laws, authorizing the sale of the Cherokee Lands, to be instructed to report to this House whether or not the public interests require the publication of said Message by order of this House. "Jones of Gonzales" Adopted-Substitute for Hogg's motion and adc•pted. To THE TEXAS SENATEt Executive Department, Washington, January 22d., 1844. To the Honorable, the Senate: In reply to a resolution of your Honorable Body, requesting information touching the number of arms and the quantity of ammunition in possession of the government, &c., &c., the Execu- tive herewith transmits the duplicate of a statement alreaclr
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