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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837-1841
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thirteen documents that Sam Houston had printed privately, because the Texan Congress refused to have them printed in the Journals. Nine of these Houston documents that were found in manuscript among the "President's Messages to Congress," Congressional Pavcrs, Texas State Library, have already been published in Volume II, of our collection of The Writings of Sam Houston; the four documents that had not already been found are printed in this volume with prefatory remarks, which are as follows: PREFATORY REMARKS Messages of the President, published in consequence of Congress having neglected, or refused to have them spread upon the Journals of the two Houses, conformably to the 26th Section of the Constitution, which reads in these words: "Every Act of Congress shall be approved and signed by the President, before it becomes a Law; but if the President will not approve and sign such an Act, he shall return it to the House in which it shall have originated, with his reasons for not approving the same, which shall be spread upon the Journals of such House; and the Bill shall then be re-considered and shall not become a law unless it shall then pass by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses. If any Act shall be disapproved by the President, the vote on the re-consideration shall be recorded by the Ayes and Noes. If the Presi- dent shall fail to return a bill within five days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented for his approval and signature, the same shall become a law, unless the Congress prevent its return within the time above specified by adjournment." The publication of the Veto Messages with other Communications has been rendered necessary in consequence of their not being published with the other proceedings of Congress, and for the important purpose of informing the Citizens of the Republic of the motives and reasons which actuated the President, in exercising the constitutional rights of vetoing such measures as he thought injurious to the general welfare of the community. These are matters which concern every Citizen of the Republic, inasmuch as all public functionaries have been exercising a power delegated to the people.
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To THE TEXAS SENATE, APRIL 30, 1838 1
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To the Honorable Senate Gentlemen:
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The President has the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a Resolution of your Honorable Body, dated 25th instant; the great press of executive business has prevented him the pleasure of responding to the request contained in the Reso- lution at an earlier day. The subject of the Resolution is one fraught with important consequences to the country; the main- tainance of subordination guarantees, order and responsibility in the various departments of Government:- the Constitution and laws point out in what subordination shall consist. The 5th Art. 3rd Section of the Constitution requires "all officers, whether elected or appointed, to take an oath to support the Constitution of the Republic, as well as an oath of office,
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