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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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If they conduct the war by artifice, duplicity and meanness, we will meet them with frankness, boldness and chivalry. The Mexi- can despot should be admonished by the truth that we have sprung from a race who, since their landing at Jamestown and upon the rock of Plymouth, have never quailed before privations or been appalled by dangers. Our march to greatness cannot be impeded. The puny efforts of Mexico will be harmless. Our triumph will be that of reason, intelligence and civil liberty. We must sustain our past character, maintain the present and illus-. trate the future. And while commending ourselves to the ap- probation of men, let our courage be always such as to merit the wise direction of the God of battle, who pulleth down and buildeth up nations. Sam Houston. 1 Procla1nations of the Presidents, Re7mblic of Texas,· also Executive Rec- Ol'd Book No. 40, pp. 79-83, Texas State Library; Telegmvh ancl Texas Register, April 20, 1842. To GEORGE W. AnAMs 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, April 14h., 1842. To G. W. Adams,~ Esq. Dear Sir-It is very desirable to give peace and security to the frontiers of Texas. With an eye to this object, I wish a trading house to be established on the Brazos at some point above the settlements, where the Indians can come and trade without moles- tation, should peace be made with them. It is vain to think of exterminating the Indians, for they will flee from us when they steal horses and only attack us when it can be do11e with advantage to themselves. By treating with them we would retain their friendship. Coffee has maintained friendly relations by means of trade only. If we can make peace and open a trade with them, it will furnish to them a market. As it now is, what they steal from us becomes a means of profit to them with other traders. Our prisoners made by them are also sold to traders and persons other than Texians. If we make peace we can reclaim our prisoners. They will also lose their inducements either to war with us, make pris- oners, or steal horses; and if they choose to steal from the Mexicans and find a market on the Brazos instead of Coffee's trading house-- why, we cannot help it. Let us take care of ourselves.
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