Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/629

 I have every reason to hope that ere this time the disorders have been quelled, and that the emergency which has called our citizens from their homes no longer exists.

Unable to form any correct conclusion as to the origin of these disorder.-, it has been impossible for me to lay before your honorable body the information which would otherwise be expected at my hands. Not only the Legislature, but the people of our entire State, on whom may fall the burthen of taxation to meet the cost of sustaining troops in the field, have a right to know the entire facts connected with the disturbance. If the causes are local in their nature, as I have supposed, or if a premeditated invasion was contemplated, it is equally important for our peace and safety that the truth should be placed before the country. Actuated by this motive, I determined to send commissioners without delay to Brownsville, and accordingly, on the 2d of January, Messrs. Angel Navarro, of Bexar, and Robert H. Taylor, of Fannin County, were commissioned for that purpose, and proceeded at once on their mission. These gentlemen both possess a knowledge of the Spanish language, and represent different sections of the State. From the tenor of their instructions, herewith submitted, it will be seen that all necessary discretion is given to them with reference to the State troops in that vicinity. If, after a conference with the Federal officer commanding, their services are deemed necessary, as soon as their report reaches the Executive it will be submitted to the Legislature for its consideration.

In whatever light we may view these disorders upon the Rio Grande, they may readily be traced to the insecure condition of our border arising from the withdrawal of the Federal troops. Mexico is in a continued state of anarchy; her population feel none of the influences of a stable government. Lawless chieftains plunder them with impunity, and light the torch of civil war at pleasure. Riot, murder, and revolution reign above law and order. Separated from Mexico as we are by a narrow river alone, and a continual intercourse going on between its people and ours, it is but natural that the unhappy influences of her condition should extend to our border. To prevent these influences operating upon the turbulent portion of our own population, as well as to check any effort on the part of the citizens of Mexico to aid them in setting the laws at defiance, the presence of the Federal troops is absolutely necessary; and in my opinion the disturbances may be attributed to the insecurity arising from their removal, which left no check against the influences of civil war in Mexico. I have full confidence that the Federal Government will not only guard against such exigencies in the future, but will, as it should, recognize as valid the acts of its military officer on the Rio Grande in assuming the control of our State troops, and reimburse Texas for the cost of pay and subsistence.

Notwithstanding the fact that no appropriation had been made by the Legislature to provide for the defense of our frontier, and the condition of the Treasury warranted but little hope of relief from that quarter, I could not disregard the claims of our frontier citizens to protection from marauding bands of Indians which infest our border, and accordingly at once took steps to call into the field a sufficient force to meet the present emergency. By virtue of the constitutional power vested in the Executive to resist invasion, I felt fully authorized to pursue this course, believing that the Legislature would provide the means of pay and subsistence for the troops.