WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837-1841
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do you injustice, and it is the only reward we have to bestow for your friendship and confidence? There are millions of [acres] of vacant land within the popu- lated limits of Texas as desirable, had the same industry been bestowed upon their improvement, but they are not sought after. The Indian lands are the forbidden fruit in the midst of the garden; their blooming peach trees, their snug cabins, their wen cultivated fields and their lowing herds excite the speculators, whose cupidity, reckless of the consequences which would ensue to the country, by goading those Indians to desperation, are will- ing to hazard everything that is connected with the safety, pros- perity, or honor of our country. It is not a question arising between the people of Texas and the Indians, as to the possessions held by the latter, but a decision of this Government, as to whether a few individuals, by a viola- tion of the known claims of the Indians, shall involve us in inquietude and dangers, when the community of Texas has no interest in common with those who, for personal aggrandizement, have been willing to place at hazard the peace and lives of its citizens. The preservation of the justly acquired rights of the people should be the objects of Government, but not to favor the few, at the expense of the many; a just and wise policy will, so far as possible, give its aid to all, but a preference to none. Jus- tice, in the present instance, will secure to us peace, while none will have reason to complain. Passion and prejudice have never yet attained a desirable object, while integrity and honor have never failed to ensure to a nation the proudest destiny. Sam Houston. 1 Miscellaneo11s Documents, University of Texas Library. This is another document from the collection of pamphlets made by Isaac Van Zandt. See note under To the Texas Congress, April 17, 1838, in this volume. The eight accompanying documents that Houston mentioned are not available.
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To THE TEXAS CONGRESS 1 Executive Department, Te_xas, [May 23, 1838]
Gentlemen: An Act providing for the defence of the Frontier, has been laid before the Executive, and has claimed his particu- lar attention and consideration. The Act leaves no discretion to the President, but requires him to call out a sufficient number of mounted gunmen from each Brigade, to commence active operations against the hostile Indians
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