63
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
The question " shall Texas be saved, or shall it be destroyed," must soon be solved. My plan would have saved it- a contrary one will ruin it. Let the first object be to send supplies for these troops who have been sent, or permittecl to come without a sufficiency. The government has no means to purchase, and the men must rob their subsistence, or endure famine. This has resulted from dis- obedience of orders. The remedy shall be applied; and pro- visions with proper supplies, sent to those now here and with those who may come hereafter. I desire that this letter may be shown to Col. Gillespie 3 ( if he may have returned) as well as to all who are or may be concerned. I write in great haste, but with a full view of the subject. I wish every officer to stay just where his assigned duties are. If all do not, I can make no calculations upon any thing as certain which I cannot in person attend to. I endure intolerable anguish from the want of power and means to cure existing evils, and the dread of their increase, from want and a disregard of orders. Sam Houston
1 Exec11tive Record Book, No. 40, p. 96, Texas State Library. 2 See Houston to William Henry Daingerfield, April 1, 1842. 8 See Houston to Barry Gillespie, April 30, 1842.
JUNE, 1842
To ANSON JoNEs 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, June 5, 1842.
To the Honorable Anson Jones Sir You are hereby constituted and appointed a commissioner on the part of this Government to negotiate a loan under an Act Entitled An Act to authorize the President to negotiate a loan of One Million of Dollars Approved January 22, 1839 You will proceed to the United States forthwith in discharge of the above duty You are authorized to make such changes as you may deem Expedient and proper and will receive for your services the compensation allowed by law. Sam Houston. [ Endorsed] : Copy of Instructions to Anson Jones 1 Compt1·ollc1·'s Letters, Texas State Library.
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