WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
535
under the protection of the flag of his nation. This act was made the subject of complaint by the Charge de'Affaires of the King of the French, to this Government; and although that government has evinced the kindest feelings towards Texas, this outrage was one which could not be passed over by its representatives without suitable explanations by the authorities of this country, as well as remuneration to the party injured, for the property taken without the sanction of the Department of War. The Executive is fully satisfied that the condition of our finances do not justify these appropriations at this time. Many claims ·of equal merit and of much longer standing have been deferred until we should be able to meet them, and why not this be treated in the same manner, however unpleasant to the govern- ment the course may be? Necessity is a hard master; but its dictates must be followed. It is utterly out of the question to think of sustaining the Government if we embarrass the existing currency by these multiplied appropriations for individual relief. To the question of supporting the Government or relieving individuals there can be but one answer: that private benefit must give ,vay to the general good. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents," Co,11g,·essio11al Papers, Eighth Congress; also Exec1<tive Record Book, No. 40, pp. 318--319, Texas State Library. The Journal of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Texas, 8th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 375-377. The bill was passed by a vote of 21 to 9 over the President's veto.
TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1 Executive Department, Washington, January 27, 1844
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives: In compliance with a resolution of your honorable Body, I herewith transmit estimates from the Department of War and Marines-first, for the amount to support the navy at sea for one year; second, for the amount to keep the vessels in ordinary for twelve months; and third, for the amount required per month, to maintain a watch on board for their preservation, in the harbor of Galveston, for this latter purpose, the immediate action of Congress is imperatively necessary. From the report of the lieutenant commanding the naval sta- tion at Galveston (an extract from which is herein sent) it will be seen that unless the necessary provision is soon made for
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