WRITINGS OF SAl\I HOUSTON, 1843
not. That was to be done by all means. General opinion is usually opposed to the success of the most worthy enterprises, and I must be candid when I assure you that I think you would have succeeded, if you had made the proper applications, and not been deterred by the adverse opinions of others. It could have been so managed, that if you had not been successful, it would not have been known, or at least have received publicity. The fact that our credit is miserably bad, cannot be doubted; but you could have most truthfully assured them, and every person in the United States, that Texas never has, and I hope never will repudiate one dollar. She has postponed payment, or redemption of her liabilities, but never with a view to defraud the holders. V.fe declared to the world that, for the present, we were not able to redeem them, but that we would do so, so soon as we were able. We are honest in our course, and you are aware that I vetoed a bill only a few days after I came into office, on the ground, that in my opinion the bill in its provisions was a violation of the goocl faith of the government ancl that it woul,cl impair the obligation of a contract with our creditors. What more could have been done by any government than this? Not only has this been the case, but the holders of Texas liabilities can enter land at two dollars per acre. Repudiation has not been thought or spoken of, only by the "torch light" editors of Texas. I do not believe that such a principle could receive the countenance of tfiis country, much as they have been abused and their char- acter traduced. These facts are known to you, and if they are not known to others, you could have given them information. Other nations and states have repudiated their debts and liabilities at various times, and they have outgrown its influence, but Texas cannot follow their example without criminality and baseness. After the revolution, the United States adopted and carried out the pol- icy of repudiation. England has done so likewise, and certainly France consigned her "assignats" to oblivion, so far as their redemption was concerned. These are illustrious examples, and the success of their plan might well add charms of fascination for Texas, to induce on her part a similar course. But I hope in God we may never become so far lost to a sense of honor . and good faith as to be driven to such a course for expediency.
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