Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/318

 necessity for offepsive action against Mexi.o, individuals can not sustain a war which properly belongs to the whole nation. The prompt attention of Congress is, therefore, invited to this subject. The time between the 20th and 28th of July, has been designated for the general rendezvous of emigrants upon the frontier; and if Congress should think proper to decide that invasion should not take place, it is important that the fact should be immediately known. If, on the other hand, war should be determined on, it is indispensable that co-operation should immediately take place between the emigrants and the militia of the country in its prosecution.

The citizen who resides upon the frontier of the Southwest, subject to continual alarms, and he who is located in conscious security upon the banks of the Sabine, constitute such an integral part of the national community, that, under the law, the protection of them, as well as all our citizens, in the rights of life and property, should be the object, as it is the duty of the Government. Unless continued and permanent protection is given to our frontier inhabitants, our settlements must recede from point to point; which will not only contract our limits, but have a tendency to create discontent and distrust in our capacity for self-government. The infelicity arising from such a state of things must arrest our prosperity, and finally prove disastrous to the country.

Were we to retaliate upon the enemy by aggressive warfare, we could at least impress them with the calamities which have thus far been incident to us alone, and create in them a desire for that peace which would be mutually advantageous to both parties. Can this be done without invasion on our part?

To enable us to adopt this course, the positive action of Congress will be necessary. It rests with them to decide.

By the constitution, the power to call out the militia is given exclusively to the Congress; and however great the necessity for calling them out might be deemed by the Executive, he would only feel authorized to do so in case of actual invasion or insurrection.

Not having heretofore been an advocate for offensive measures, the Executive has looked with peculiar interest and solicitude to the subject—owing to our recent and present condition. If we could possibly anticipate the establishment of amicable relations with Mexico, from the mediation of any power mutually friendly, the urgency of the action on the part of the Government would be diminished, and we might hope to arrest evils which the conduct of Mexico seems to enforce upon us. Our citizens could cultivate their farms in peace and grow rich by industry, while the emigration of foreign capitalists to the country would add to the material wealth and increase our store of intelligence and enterprise. But from the manner in which offers of mediation have been received and treated by Gen. Santa Anna, the Executive is confidently assured, upon the highest authority, that Texas can expect nothing from that desire. Being admonished of this fact, then, we must assume an attitude that will protect us from future inconvenience and danger.

Should the honorable Congress, however, deem it unwise or impracticable to invade Mexico, and think proper to place at the disposition of the Executive an amount comparatively trifling, with power to establish such regulations rs he may think proper, he will be enabled to maintain such a force on the southwestern frontier as will secure it from alarm and danger, unless produced by a regular and formidable invasion.