Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/306

 views and a system as well adapted to our situation as any that could be presented at the present time. Intimately connected with the resources of the treasury is the accountability of the receiving and disbursing officers of the Government. It must be the case with us as with all other countries, that defalcations will take place; to guard against this evil, it is proper that responsibility should be secured in future, and that some mode should be pointed out which will authorize process to issue against those who have heretofore been defaulters in any office or department.

The first Congress which met after the Convention authorized the President to accept the services of twenty thousand men. Exercising his discretion upon the subject, he has not deemed it necessary, thus far, to marshal so large a force and maintain it in the field, or to commence offensive war, but has determined to await some indications on the part of the enemy that will, in the opinion of the world, justify the most decisive measures to secure our independence, and establish an honorable peace. To this end, the officers and soldiers have been furloughed, except such a part as was necessary for maintaining certain positions which were regarded as most requisite for our present circumstances.

It is gratifying to assure the honorable Congress that a large portion of those that were furloughed have directed their attention to agriculture and the mechanic arts; they have become citizens, and now their lives, as well as their future hopes, are identified with the destiny of Texas. Since the commencement of the present administration the war department has been the most laborious and difficult in the performance of its duties; it has been improving in its organization, and it is believed that, under the direction of the gentleman who is placed at its head, a system will very soon be established, and the facilities of the country, inasmuch as they are connected with the department, greatly increased.

The militia of all republics must be regarded and esteemed as the bulwark of liberty, and particularly so while the generation remains which have achieved the emancipation of their country. With them liberty has begun, and they will preserve it at every hazard. Their organization and discipline should claim the first attention of Congress, and, as soon as it is perfected, Texas will be in a most confident attitude of success over all her enemies. The present militia laws are not so perfect as to preclude amendment, nor has it been in the power of the War Department to execute the wishes of Congress, owing to various causes over which it had no control. It is hoped that Congress will give such direction to the subject as will give the greatest efficiency to that arm of the service. The report of the Secretary will be submitted to the Congress for consideration.

The extraordinary embarrassment of the finances of the country, at the commencement of the Revolution, and its continuance until the adoption of the present system, has been such as to prevent the creation of an efficient navy. The extent of our seaboard inculcates the necessity, and manifests the advantages, which must result to the Government from the command of the Gulf of Mexico. The certain means which Texas now possesses, and must have at her disposal, induce the Executive to urge the most ample appropriations, in addition to those which have been made at the present session of Congress. There can be no doubt but that the enemy will avail themselves of every advantage by