365
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
To TRAVIS G. BRooc1{s 1
San Augustine, 23rd August, 1844.
To Col. T. G. Broock[s]: Sir,- I have the honor to acknowledge your dispatches of the 20th and 23rd instant. After noting their contents, I have to remark, that it would not be possible to obtain either ordnance or any other supplies from Fort Jesup. The regulations of the United States army inhibit any officer to loan or dispose of any public arms, or stores, on pain of being dismissed from the service. As relates to the subject of supplies for the army now in camp, I can only assure you Cangress made no appropriation for such service, and I dare make no expenditure not sanctioned by law. Considering the scarcity of corn for the inhabitants of Shelby County, the horses should be grazed on grass, but not fed with corn-or it may greatly distress the community. I have written to Gen. Smith, to whom you are referred, as I am greatly pressed for time. Sam Houston.
1 Exec1ttive Record Book, NQ. 40, pp. 369-370, Texas State Library.
To JAMES SMITH 1
San Augustine, August 23d, 1844.
To Brig. Gen. James Smith: Sir,- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of today. I am gratified that you so promptly repaired to the scene of action, where the appearance of the military was necessary to suppress the insurrectionary move- ments which had for some time existed in Shelby County. I trust, as numbers have submitted to the mandate of the civil authorities, that your detention will be of short duration-that the troops may be discharged and return to their respective homes. The object in calling you out was to meet the present emergency, as well as to maintain the majesty of the constitution and the laws. You speak of negotiations which are going on with those who have not yet surrendered. I am unable to comprehend what character of negotiations can be concluded between the offenders
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