WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
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invasion of Indians with whom the United States had treaties, and whom they were bound to hold in subordination to their orders. They failed to do it; and the necessities of Texas were of such character that they could not be postponed, and hence it was that the Governor, acting of his own responsibility, and the right he had to call out the militia to repel invasion, called for volunteers. From the masses that presented themselves in the character of militia·, but under the name of volunteers, he selected these companies and they were mustered into the serv- ice of the United States by a United States officer and placed under the control of those who had been commissioned by the Governor for the occasion. These are the circumstances of this demand; and the govern- ment of Texas, satisfied of their having performed their service with fidelity, called upon the Legislature, which made an appro- priation of $184,000, that has actually been paid to the militia upon their being regularly mustered out; part of them under the orders of General Smith, through the Govern.or, and the other portion of them by orders of the Governor. The govern- ment of Texas appropriated and paid to these troops the sum of money that we now want reimbursed. That is the whole story· of it. If Texas is bound to defend her own territory, whilst other states and territories have all the benefits resulting; and when she did not contrive this war, nor produce the necessities that were upon her, it is very strange indeed, that she cannot be reimbursed for what she has actually paid out. Anticipating not only the good faith of the Govern- ment, but its justice to her, she has made these advances. Can the Senate deny that she is entitled to be reimbursed and remunerated for what she actually paid out of her treasury? I hope that the Senate will determine that this is a just demand; and for that purpose, I offer the following amendment to the amendment: And that the further sum of $184,554.57 be appropriated; and that the Secretary of War shall, so soon as the pay rolls and proper vouchers shall be filed in the War Department, pay to the State of Texas the amount which she may have actually have paid out of her treasury, and has been appropriated by the State of Texas to pay troops who have actually served and have been discharged. 1 Congi-essional Globe, Appendix, Second Session, 35th Congress, 1858- 1869, pp. 1392-1393.
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