Houston v1

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, is35

329

shall be stationed until further orders. To-day I sent despatche3 to Velasco and Matagorda, with .orders to Lieutenant Eaton 4 to act as assistant quarter master-general, to furnish supplies to all troops landing on the gulf, on their way to Copano. I have herewith enclosed to your excellency a copy of the order, having sent a special order to Lieutenant Eaton of prior date. I beg leave to remark that, by the time I can hold an Indian talk, and arrange matters for safety in the rear of the army, and return to this point, and spend a few days here, leaving a capable officer in command at this place, as also at other points, I will be ready, should there be the slightest necessity for my presence at Copano or on the frontier, to repair instantly to the point where I may be needed. In the meantime, I pray that your excellency will not permit the suggestion of those who neither know nor can appreciate my duties ( or the necessity of my occupying, until the campaign opens, a central position), to induce your excellency to believe that I can be necessary, and ought to be where a subordinate can discharge every duty. You may rely on it a subaltern, whom I would leave in com- mand at this point, would have more important duties devolving upon him than those which would be confided , at an outpost, to a major-general; while the general and the governor would be held responsible to the country for any and every failure or de- linquency which might occur to the detriment of the ari:ny, or the defence of the country. Sam Houston. P. S. From news received today from the mouth of the Brasos ( unofficial), I will be ready, on my return from the treaty, to set out with the staff of the army (with your excellency's order), in three days, for Copano, or Matamoras. To His Excellency Gov. Henry Smith. 1 Anny Pa71e1·s, Texas State Library. Executive Letter Book No. 3, ·ibid. H. Yoakum, Histo1·y of Texas, II, 466-467. ~see Houston to Governor Henry Smith, December 26, 1835. 3 For note concerning Amon King see Houston to Governor Hcm·y Smith, December 26, 1835. 1 \Villiam Eaton was appointed •Assirtant Quartermaste1· 'General by Houston on December 27, 1836.