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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
revolution, should not be paid the present value of lands, nor have them restored, they ought, in my opinion, to have a greater if not a double quantity of land allowed them, in as much as their locations were made on account of their great value and con- venience. Now, the choice lands would not be available to loca- tion, and the owners would have to run their chances of choice and convenient lands greatly diminished. I suppose owners would be willing to take the price of public lands in the United States in cash ;-say one dollar and twenty five cents per acre. This would be low; but our troubles have made us needy, and "we must do the best we can." If a treaty is made, I desire that you would take into considera- tion one subject and urge upon the government the justice of retaining in the navy, or in the revenue service, the following gentlemen, to wit: Post Captain John G. Tod, Lieut. Command- ing William C. Brashear, also Lieut. Commanding Downing H. Crisp, and Lieut. William A. Tennison. These officers are all worthy of their rank, and gentlemen who will obey orders. I also desire that F. T. Wells and J. F. Stephens, Esquires, may be provided for as Pursers in the United States Navy. They may be relied upon as disbursing officers, and as gentlemen of char- acter. Midshipman E. F. Gray, as a promising youth and the son of a widow, I hope will be provided for and I believe these will fill the list. Late events have relieved me of all trouble in selec- tion. I will never recommend a pirate, nor his aiders and abettors. There is another officer whom I cannot nor will I omit to men- tion. It is my Volunteer Aid-de-Camp, Colonel Jack C. Hays whose worth you already know. The frontier of our country would have been defenceless but for his gallantry and vigilance united With fine capacity. Captain Benjamin McCulloch would also make a fine officer for cavalry or dragoons. If Hays had a battalion of spies, or a regiment, in my opinion, no man on earth could be equally efficient on the frontier, and particularly that of the Rio Grande. These recommendations are made of myself, as none of the gentlemen named entertain the least knowledge of my course; so I am, unsolicited, discharging a duty which I owe to merit and my country. I hope you may be successful and will perfect a great work. If it is not done at once the situation of Texas will not allow her
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