WRITINGS OF SAi\•I HOUSTON, 184,2
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hushed; and some think that fighting is an ugly business, but that it must be done. I regret that you have any thought of resigning. It is far from my wish that you should. This, I know; you have as much interest in the country as I have, and if you think the country can dispense with your services, every useful officer may think so too; and I will come to the same conclusion as to myself. What will be the consequences? Anarchy! !! What will any one, or all gain by that? Those who have the most to lose will be the great- est sufferers. Those who have nothing will think it fair to divide out; and those who are supposed to be wealthy have the fewest friends among the needy! This I have looked to, and have made my sacrifices to duty. In this case we have the law to govern us, and all we have to do is to obey it. If we do not, we cannot expect it to protect us or ours. If laws are not enforced and obeyed, in effect we cannot protect our rights. In that case the strong man will regulate the right; for no community can exist without laws and rules. All this is to be brought about by the interest of some dozen merchants and a country destroyed, while thousands and hundreds of thousands a;re reduced to want and misery, while those for whom the evil was produced are joint sufferers. It is the business of men to reflect! You know how I estimate you as a man and as an officer; and I know you will duly appreciate the course which I have or may adopt. It might inflict upon you mortification, were you re- quired to go down from the standard which you have established; and therefore I would not wound your feelings by exacting from you anything but what may arise from an imperative sense of duty. I do hope you will let the actual rise prececle an advance on your part; not let anything influence you but actual knowledge of facts. In this way all can be well. In this view of matters, I have not accepted your resignation; but send Capt. Woodhouse do"m to see you, that I may act advisedly. I hope, in view of things as they are, you will continue to hold your situation and bear your share of "the burden in the heat of the day." "Blessed are they who continue to the end, and do not faint by the way." The orders given to Commodore Moore, relative to the ex- chequers, were imperative upon him not to hypothecate the notes as collateral security, and on condition that under no circum-' stances, were they to be m~ed under ninety days, and as much longer as possible. Since I received his letter, I have referred
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