Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/303

 to me, that it would be in accordance with the civilization of the age, to release all the prisoners, and to permit them to leave our shores so soon as they can do so. In the meantime I have learned that our citizens, as well as the prisoners at Matamoras (amounting to thirteen in number), have been liberated. It is impossible for me to account for the apathy with which Mexico treated the subject, and her willingness to permit a portion of the bravest troops of the nation to remain prisoners in exile, when a just policy would at once have restored them to their country and homes.

Congress will no doubt find it necessary to revise the laws of the Republic, and to direct that a digest be made of those of Coahuila and Texas, so far as they may be useful to the establishment of rights acquired under them.

It will be seen that the adoption of the common laws of England, with modifications adapted to our situation, is required by the provisions of the Constitution.

Nothing can conduce more to the order and stability of a Government, than the simplicity of laws, the proper definition of rights, and their impartial and consistent administration.

I will not close this communication to your honorable body, without presenting to your consideration, the claims of citizens of the United States, who acquired as they conceived, bona fide titles to lands in Texas.

It is due to many of these individuals, to suggest, that their generous and manly efforts in behalf of our cause, will entitle them to the most favorable decisions of Congress.

Their means have aided us in the darkest hours of our probation, and recently have aided in dispelling our embarrassments. Such men deserve the gratitude, as well as the justice of the country.

While reflecting upon the dispensations of an Almighty Being, who has conducted our country through scenes of unparalleled privation, massacre, and suffering, it is but gratitude and sensibility to render to Him our most devout thanks, and invoke His kind benignity and future providence, that He will preserve and govern us a chosen people.

(Signed),


 * Congress having been apprised of the reasons which have delayed the Executive in presenting his views to their consideration, at the commencement of the annual session, will supersede the necessity of an apology. The important responsibility which at the commencement of every community or nation, must devolve upon its law-givers and officers, is manifest to all but the heedless, and will be properly estimated by the patriotic and virtuous of every country on whom those duties may be conferred. Upon their exertions must the happiness and prosperity of a nation depend at home, and by their acts will its character be ascertained and determined in the opinions of the enlightened abroad. Our relations to the nations of Europe, as well as to the Governments of South America, have yet to be established, nor has the