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WRITINGS OF SAll·I HOUSTON, 1842
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weighing the propriety of its continuance or suppression, than any one could be who was not present. I now say that you can issue such orders as your discretion may suggest for the future government of the intercourse with the Rio Grande and on our Southwestern frontier. It affords me pleasure that the subject was referred to me for my decision: a different course would have rendered Texians obnoxious to a charge as odious as the conduct of the Mexicans at Bexar in their late incursion. Sam Houston. 1 Exec11tive Reco,·d Book, No. 40, p. 95, Texas State Library. ZAppointment of James Davis as Acting Adjutant General Texas Army, :May 3, 1842. 3 See Houston to Ephraim McLain, April 20, 1842.
To COLONEL [LEWIS M.] H. W ASHINGTON 1
City of Houston, May 31, 1842.
To Col. H. Washington :z Dear Sir- Texas is in a most deplorable situation. The in- troduction of emigrants contrary to orders, without supplies, has reduced us to our present calamitous condition. Why were not abundant supplies sent with them? Orders were sent by every steamer to command or suggest the imperative duty; and as often as an infraction was committed, some promise of supplies, or apology for the fact, was rendered. " They woulcl come, nolens volens," or "they should· have provisions sent to them." I wish no violations of orders. There is no excuse. If the principle is ever admitted, and discretion conceded to subalterns, it has no limits. Obedience to orders is the first obligation of a soldier; and if it is once disregarded, everything will become confused. No plan can be executed, when once designed, unless its details are carried out. The troops sent to Galveston are in a starving condition; and they have to be quartered out on the bay shore to obtain food and water. The drill and duties of a soldier are neglected; and their expense to the country for transportation from point to point will increase the national burthen. The orders of the government shall be obeyed, and no excuse, even the most plausible, will be accepted for their violation when evil is to result to the country, or the service. I am thus plain, because the evils resulting from a disregard of orders have become intolerable. They must cease.
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