Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/145

Rh which serious troubles about titles have since grown up. As its object was speculation, many, in anticipation of enormous gains, voted for its passage. In one of his ablest State papers, Gen. Houston vetoed it. The law was passed over the veto, and went into operation. A fruitful source of lasting litigation, it opened the door to all sorts of fraud. Malign and fatal fruits exhibited themselves in a few years. Reckless legislation too often characterized the Congresses of the Republic. The country was saved from terrible disaster by the clear mind and strong will of the firm and intelligent statesman at the head of the Government. During the two terms of his administration as President he issued not less than eighty vetoes, remarkable for conservative principles and opinions. In the want of currency, and governed by ill-judged ideas of finance, a bill was passed authorizing an excessive issue of promissory notes. Believing that if this measure prevailed, paper currency would depreciate ten to one, the President promptly vetoed the bill. The bad consequences were temporarily arrested, but under the administration of his immediate successor the bill was passed, approved, and abundantly fulfilled the prophecy of Houston.

Alarms of Mexican and Indian invasions occasionally agitated the country during the year 1837, but such was Gen. Houston's watchfulness that no invasions of any kind occurred. The people confided in the administration, just recovered from the shock and devastation of a powerful invading army; environed with Mexican and savage foes, they presented the beautiful spectacle of an industrious and increasing population in the quiet and successful prosecution of the arts of peace. A proclamation, printed and circulated in English and Spanish, announced trade and commerce between Mexico and Texas. Trade sprang up rapidly. The tide of emigration began to set in gradually toward the Mexican borders, and the frontier counties began to be repopulated. Large quantities of silver and merchandise, with caravans of horses and mules, came into Texas. Good feeling growing up continued to increase. Mexicans and Texans were alike anxious for peace. The people of Mexico had nothing to gain in battle, and had the renewal of hostilities been put to vote, a lasting peace would have blessed both countries.

Houston's administration of his first term in the Presidency was eminently successful and profitable to the country. Steadily had the proposition for annexation been pressed upon the U. S. Government at Washington. Little encouragement was given to the Texan ministers. Houston withdrew the proposition as soon as he discovered that no advantage could accrue to Texas from