121
WRITINGS oF SAM HousToN, 1842
Permit none to remain about your encampment but such as are subject to your orders, nor ever fail to keep guards and enforce your orders to the letter of the law, and the full measure of your power. Allow none to draw rations, but such as belong to your command. Husband your means, and ·I command a minute re- port of all deserters by the first express. Had this been done, desertion would have been less frequent; and why has it not been done? Keep all ardent spirits from the camp; and should you detect anyone introducing them within your command, you will have him tried by a court martial, and if found guilty, you will have him punished. Sam Houston [Rubric] u•Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 159-161, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams. For Davis, see Houston to Davis, May 31, 1842, this volume.
To JAMES DAVIS 1
Private
Galveston, June 17th, 1842.
To acting Adjutant General .Davis, Dear Sir, By the express I write this hasty note. The only news is from Col. Washington who is to be out soon with a steamer and troops. The people of the U [nited] States are busy. You will see that General Pickens is up and doing in Alabama. Commodore Moore will be out in a short time with the Navy on the Gulf. Some provisions came by the last New York; and will be sent by the vessel which takes the troops. If the men behave, we have something to hope from them, but if they are insubordinate, we must rely upon others, and leave them to the doom of infamy. The Government, I think, is more capable of judging what is proper for them to do than they are of directing its course. I will retain the control-you may rely upon it. You will salute the troops for me; and say to Captains Everitt and Allen, and McLean, that I commend their subordination and manly conduct-such conduct becomes soldiers and gentlemen. I will answer them so soon as my time will allow; and I will reply
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