Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/325

 war have also been applied in this way without the sanction or even the knowledge of the Government.

At the commencement of the present administration, it was the earnest desire of the Executive to be enabled by acts of Congress to maintain a force on the frontier, amounting to from one to two hundred men. Could this have been done, he remains satisfied and confirmed in the opinion that the recent calamities and annoyances upon the frontier would not have occurred. Less than one-fourth of the amount which the incursions of the enemy have cost the country and the frontier citizens would have sustained the force requisite. Unless something can be done to prevent the system of molestation practiced by the enemy, it will cause Texas to subdue herself. If the whole country is to be agitated and called from their homes at the appearance of a few hundred rancheros, who can make a display, on our frontier and again recross the Rio Grande before our citizens have left their homes, a few only having rallied, in numbers sufficient to jeopardize themselves without effecting any useful object, we can never hope for security to our frontier or tranquillity to its citizens. If it is impossible to maintain such a regular force, as would be adequate with the present means of the Government, it is at least within the power of Congress to enact such laws as will compel the requisite number of militia to be furnished by draft from the counties as will meet the necessities of the frontier. In this way we have the means of giving protection to that interesting portion of our countrymen, who have adventured to the West and South. And the Executive continues to regard it, as he has ever done, of vital importance to the citizens. They have taken their position on the frontier and sustained themselves under every disadvantage. They have claims upon the sympathies as well as the protection of the country.

No doubt can now be entertained that the prime object of the enemy is to molest our frontier and harass and annoy our seaboard. To use such precautions as their policy will enjoin upon us, should be equally the primary object of the honorable Congress. Should assurances of undoubted character have been given that the enemy are strengthening themselves by water, every means should be employed, and precaution taken, to render abortive any attack which they might make upon our seaboard. The Port of Galveston is now in a condition of defense more efficient than could be expected when we take into view the means placed at the disposition of the Government, and the necessity of relying mainly upon the contributions and labor of the citizens of that place. Col. George W. Hockley, an officer of skill and great efficiency, was appointed Acting Colonel of Ordnance by the Executive, and assigned to the duties of engineer and ordnance officer for that station, to continue during the emergency which enforced the necessity of his appointment.

For the want of means, every possible embarrassment has been presented to the administration. Texas, in truth, presents an anomaly in the history of nations; for no country has ever existed without a currency, nor has any Government ever been administered without means. The transition from a state of things, where unrestricted and unlimited extravagance prevailed and disbursements were made without appropriations by Congress, to a state of things where we are without means, without appropriations, and without disbursements, is well calculated to bring odium upon the administration of the Government, unless examination is made into the causes which have led to its situation