WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
504
minute companies, so organized, must look to the next Legisla- ture for relief, and also those who may supply them, it is impor- tant that the men should be prompt, diligent, and only in the field when absolutely necessary. The Executive has now mustered into the service of the State at least 500 men. The entire amount of money that will be at his command for frontier defence in the next two years is $91,831.57, and he is authorized to contract a debt of not more than $200,000. All this amount will be exhausted by the force now in the field in less than one year. With an eye to the con- tinuance of Indian aggressions, he must husband the resources at his command, for when they are exhausted, he can neither purchase supplies, or pay troops. Supplies cannot be purchased and sent forward without money, and hence, the Executive will appropriate the $91,831.57 solely for that purpose. He will keep the troops already mustered in the service as long as the appropriations will justify him in so doing. Should the emergency require their presence longer in the field, he will then muster into service such of them as are willing to rely on the Legislature to pay them. Those who have been mustered into the service will have to take script for their pay, as will also some of those who furnished supplies. The Executive is disposed to deal frankly with the people, and it would be unjust to call men into the field without candidly stat- ing the facts. The Legislature knew the condition of the Treas- ury-it also.knew the condition of the frontier, and if it has not given the Executive means, the people must hold it responsible. The following letter from the Comptroller [Published in yes- terday's paper.-Ed.] will show the amount of money at the disposal of the Executive for frontier defence. There will not be a dollar of surplus in the general fund in the next two years. The Executive has called out men on the faith of this money and the $200,000 of script authorized to be issued. He feels bound to pay them; all others must rely on future appropri- ations. Sam Houston. 1 San Antonio Daily Herald, March 15, 1860. This letter was written to the citizens of the frontier, in answer to a great deal of complaint on their part of prevailing conditions. Houston's old political enemies were constantly at his heels, using all means within their power to discredit him and his administration. Many anti-Houston articles appea1·ed in the papers almost daily throughout 1860; for example see The State Gazette Extra, put out by The State Gazette, March 10, 1860; also The Texa.s Republican, March 10, 1860.
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