WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
73
TO MESSRS. KENNEDY AND CASTR0 1
Private
Executive Department, City of Austin, February 5th, 1842. To Messrs. William Kennedy & Henri Castro, Gentlemen: It affords me pleasure to answer your favor of today. In reply I can only assure you that, so soon as the pre- liminaries can be arranged, I will be happy to enter into a con- tract on behalf of this government, upon principles of fairness and liberality, with each of you. With salutations of much esteem I have the honor to assure you of my regard. Sam Houston [Rubric] 1 "Houston's Private Executive Record Book," courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams, Houston, Texas.
TO GEORGE WILLIAM BROWN AND OTHERS 1
Galveston, March 3, 1842.
Gentlemen : Business of an imperative character has caused more delay in answering your letter on the subject of offensive war upon Mexico-in consequence of the captivity of our coun- trymen, who were engaged in the Santa Fe Expedition-than I had desired. No citizen of the Republic feels more sensibly than I do, the unfortunate condition of those brave spirits; nor has anyone deplored with deeper sincerity the evils which have re- sulted to them, as well as the country, than I have, since the enterprise was first projected. From the first outset I was of the opinion that it would be attended with no good, but injury- injury to the country, and danger if not destruction to those en- gaged in it. Congress had refused to authorize any measure of the kind. It was projected and carried out without the sanction of law- and, therefore, contrary to law. It was declared by some en- gaged in it, that the Executive was not responsible for the cam- paign-but that it was a private expedition. This, by the offi- cial organs, remains yet uncontradicted. The nation has sus- tained the expense and the odium or misfortune of its failure, in the loss of munitions of war and its gallant and brave citi- zens-men of talents, and chivalry, and corps, to their number seldom, if ever, surpassed in their qualities as soldiers. Their release from captivity and restoration to liberty and their coun- try are most desirable as well as important considerations. The
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