Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/301

 glory of the soldier is always proportioned to the difficulty and danger of his achievements. The situation of the army at the adjournment of the last session of Congress, was far from what was desirable to the country. Since then an organization has taken place, and much credit is due to the officers and soldiers for their ready obedience to the law and regulations which have been enacted for their government. By the reduction of the number of supernumerary officers, its expenses have been diminished to the amount of $229,032 per annum. The requisite number of officers are now in command, and the organization is complete.

The insufficiency of our navy must be a subject of serious consideration. When the constitutional Government assumed its functions, the armed vessels, Brutus and Invincible, were in the Port of New York, and remained there until a few weeks past, when they returned, but without either crews or provisions for a cruise.

The Independence, having not more than two weeks' provisions, was taken to New Orleans some months since, where she has been detained, and has not yet been reported to this Government for service.

At an early day a confidential officer was dispatched to the United States, for the purpose of purchasing such vessels as would enable us to keep the command of the Gulf from our enemy.

He has reported to the proper department, and his arrival is daily expected with one or more fine vessels, in preparation to defend our commerce, and make reprisals on the enemy.

Our commerce has suffered to some extent, and a small portion of supplies for the army has been captured and taken into Mexican ports. I take leave to call the serious attention of Congress to the establishment of a naval depot at some point on our coast, which will add greatly to our efficiency at sea, and at the same time diminish our expenses.

The suspension of business attendant on the removal of the public archive and documents, with other reasons, has rendered it impossible to lay before Congress detailed reports of the several departments of the Government, showing their condition; but so soon as practicable, and at an early day, they will be submitted, and all important information referred to Congress.

Not unconnected with the naval force of the country, is the subject of the African slave trade. It can not be disbelieved that thousands of Africans have lately been imported to the Island of Cuba, with a design to transfer a large portion of them into this Republic. This unholy and cruel traffic has called down the reprobation of the humane and just of all civilized nations. Our abhorrence to it is clearly expressed in our constitution and laws. Nor has it rested alone upon the declaration of our policy, but has long since been a subject of representation to the Government of the United States, our ministers apprising it of every fact which would enable it to devise such means as would prevent either the landing or introduction of Africans into our country.

The naval force of Texas not being in a situation to be diverted from our immediate defence, will be a sufficient reason why the Governments of the United States and England should employ such a portion of their forces in the Gulf as will at once arrest the accursed trade, and redeem this republic from the suspicion of connivance; which would be as detrimental to its character as the practice is repugnant to the feelings of its citizens. Should the traffic continue, the