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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
72
have none who are not in all things ready and willing to follow you wherever you are ordered to lead. You will want no man with you who has not made up his mind to obey orders. When you are in the field and have a certain service to perform, it will neither be agreeable to you nor advantageous to the country to canvass your instructions and submit the quetsion of their propriety or inexpediency to the vote of your men. I well know the fruits of insubordination; and rather than· you incorporate its elements and materials in your command, I would prefer that it should never be formed. The latter alternative would prevent individual suffering and public damage. Had it not been for the prevalence of this destructive principle among our citizens at San Antonio, in March last, which caused a total disregard of the orders of the constituted authorities, of the country, at this very day and hour we should have been in possession of the Valley of the Rio Grande.:? I have felt sad and my feelings have been mortified by the bitter reflection that from the phrenzy of disobedience and the machin~tions of selfish demagogues, who would rather "reign in hell than serve in heaven," so much has been lost to the country. . It is utterly useless- it is even the perfection of folly, to think of doing anything without subordination. What was government, military rank, or discipline in armies established for, if not to produce efficiency by ensuring concert of action and the concen- trating of the greatest available strength upon any given point? Insubordination has already wrought failure of the first step to- wards the invasion of Mexico. I trust in God it may henceforth cease, but I confess my fears. Some two or three massacres, however, will cure the evil; and without caution they are in- evitable. You will also take care that your command is not disgraced by that most dangerous and most odious of all vices- the lust of plunder. See that you have gentlemen, and not robbers as your associates. I should be pained by any act of yours in the future which would cast a shadow or a stain upon the lustre of your past conduct as a soldier of Texas in the war of the revolution. Plunder will not be allowed. The enemy must support the war; but even the enemy must be treated as the honor of our race and our national name will demand. You will recommend your subalterns to me, and you are au- thorized to say to those who may compose your command that
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