may serve as an admonition in the present case. The delay of a manifest act of duty, an account of some lion in the path, has been the most fruitful source of ruin to nations as well as individuals. The congress of Texas met pursuant to adjournment in May, 1837, at the city of Houston, the new seat of government. The following message delivered by President Houston on that occa sion, containing a brief and lucid exposition of the affairs of the country at that time, is presented, to conclude our work.

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE CONGRESS OF TEXAS.

DELIVERED 5TH OF MAY, 1837.

"GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE,

AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES :

"With peculiar pleasure I greet your return to the Capitol. At the adjournment of the last session, the country was under apprehension of an invasion from our enemy, which created much solicitude, and had an unkind influence on our foreign relations. It was temporary in its effects, as was manifested in the recognition of our independence by the government of the United States of America. We now occupy the proud attitude of a sovereign and independent republic; which will impose upon us the obliga tion of evincing to the world, that we are worthy to be free.This will only be accomplished by wise legislation, the maintenance of our integrity, and the faithful and just redemption of our plighted faith wherever it has been pledged. Nothing can be better calculated to advance our interests and character than the establishment of a liberal and disinterested policy, enlightened by patriotism, and guided by wisdom.

"The subject of the undefined limits on our northern frontier, between the United States and the republic, will require the action of Congress. The boundaries have been so well described by the treaty of 1819, between Spain and the United States, that little difficulty is apprehended in defining and establishing our just line, and obviating all trifling difficulties which may have at any time existed, through a want of proper consideration. Provision for the appointment of a commissioner to meet one on the part of the United States is desirable. Connected with the subject of boundary, is that of the Colorado Indians, inhabiting a portion of our north-eastern frontier. By a treaty recently held with that tribe they have ceded certain lands to the United States, and have shown a disposition to amalgamate with the wild Indians within our unquestionable boundary, while late advices have

assured me that the United States agent of the tribe has issued to the warriors, rifles and amunition.

"The condition and disposition of these Indians as well as their thefts and murders upon our borders, have been subjects on which our Ministers at Washington City have been advised, with instructions to make immediate and urgent remonstrances to that government, which I am well assured, from the character of the gentlemen, have met their prompt and careful attention. The principal aggressions on our frontiers have either been instigated or perpetrated by the Caddos. It would be painful to suppose, under the circumstances, that the United States agent in furnishing the means of further injury to the frontier inhabitants of our country, had acted under the orders of his government. It is due to this government to suppose that he has acted unadvisedly, and that the stipulations of the treaty concluded between the United States and Mexico in April, 1830, will be rigidly adhered to so far as they appertain to the United States and the republic of Texas. It was among the first objects of the constitutional government, on assuming its duties, to adopt such measures as would give peace and security to our extended frontier. For this purpose commissioners were appointed at an early period to hold treaties with several of the most numerous and active of those tribes. As yet, nothing has been effected, owing in part to the season of the year at which the business was commenced, as well as other causes. A hope is entertained that something beneficial will shortly result, as our commissioners are in constant expectation of holding a treaty with the associate bands of the prairies. The government has recently received information from sources entirely satisfactory as to its verity, that a delegation consisting of twenty northern Indians residing on the borders of the United States, had visited the town of Matamoras, and had stipulated with the Mexican authorities, to furnish that govern. ment three thousand warriors well armed, so soon as it would invade Texas. Commentary upon such alliances in the present age would be an insult to chivalry, and a reflection upon the hearts and understandings of those who have sought to establish the maxim, that war is calamitous enough without the evils of treachery and massacre, which devote alike the female and the warrior to cruelty and death. Assurances are rendered to this government, that citizens of this republic have lately been made prisoners by the Caddos, and that scalps recently taken on our frontier have been seen in their nation. It is within the province of this government to enquire into the causes' which have produced these calamities, and no vigilance on our side shall be wanting to prevent their recurrence. I feel fully aware that the policy of this government, is to pursue a just and liberal course towards our

Indian neighbors; and to prevent all encroachment upon their rights.

"The army of Texas has never been in a more favorable condition than at present. The permanent force in the field is sufficient to meet all the emergencies of invasion, which at the shortest notice the defence of the country can be brought into immediate action in that event.

"The insufficiency of our navy must be a subject of serious consideration. When the constitutional government assumed its functions, the armed vessels, Brutus and Invincible, were in the port of New York, and remained there until a few weeks past, when they returned, but without either crews or provisions for a

cruize.

"The Independence having not more than two week's provisions, was taken to New Orleans some months since, where she has been detained, and has not yet been reported to this government for service.

"At an early day a confidential officer was despatched to the United States, for the purpose of purchasing such vessels as would enable us to keep command of the gulf from our enemy.

"He had reported to the proper department, and his arrival is daily expected with one or more fine vessels, in preparation to defend our commerce, and make reprisals on the enemy.

"Our commerce has suffered to some extent, and a small portion of supplies for the army, has been captured and taken into Mexican ports. I take leave to call the serious attention of Congress to the establishment of a naval depot at some point on our coast, which will add greatly to our efficiency, at the same time diminish our expenses.

"Not unconnected with the naval force of the country, is the subject of the African slave trade. It cannot be disbelieved that thousands of Africans have lately been imported to the island of Cuba with a design to transfer a large portion of them into this republic. This unholy and cruel traffic has called down the reprobation of the humane and just of all civilized nations. Our abhorrence to it is clearly expressed in our constitution and laws. Nor has it rested alone upon the declaration of our policy, but has long since been a subject of representation to the government of the United States, our ministers apprising it of every fact which would enable it to devise such means as would prevent either the landing or introduction of Africans into our country.

"The naval force of Texas not being in a situation to be diverted from our immediate defence, will be a sufficient reason why the government of the United States and England should employ such a portion of their force in the Gulf as will at once arrest the accursed trade, and redeem this republic from the sus

picion of connivance which would be as detrimental to its character as the practice is repugnant to the feelings of its citizens. Should the traffic continue, the odium cannot rest upon us, but will remain a blot upon the escutcheon of nations who have power, and withhold their hand from the work of humanity. It will be proper to remark that our attitude in relation to the subject of annexation to the United States of America, has undergone no important change since the adjournment of the last ses sion of Congress. Our ministers at Washington City gave to the subject of our national concerns their zealous attention, and much credit is due to them for the character which they sustained in advocating our interests at a foreign court. The period at which the congress of the United States was compelled to adjourn, prevented any action of that government, relative to annexation; it will, it is hoped, be referred to the action of the next session, and receive its early determination.

"In the mean time it will be proper for Texas to pursue a course of policy which will be beneficial to her in character substantive, and to secure her existence and her rights, without reference to contingencies. For it is not possible to determine what are to be her future relations to the civilized nations of the globe. Blessed with a soil the most fertile, and climate the most delightful and salubrious, Texas must attract the attention of the whole commercial and manufacturing nations of the world. "Her cotton, sugar, indigo, wines, peltries, live stock, and the precious minerals, will all become objects of mercantile enterprize and activity.

"Nor can we lose sight of the important production of the liv oak. It is but reasonable to say that four-fifths of all the live oak of the world is now growing in Texas, while there is not less than ten millions worth of that valuable article decaying on our cultivated fields.

"Our relations to Mexico since the last session of Congress have undergone no important change, nor have overtures been made by either nation.

"Texas, confident that she can sustain the rights for which she has contended, is not willing to invoke the mediation of other powers; while Mexico, blind to her interest and her future existence, seems determined on protracting the war, without regard to her internal commotions. Revolution is stalking abroad throughout her land, while she is unable to defend her frontier against the incursions of the bands of predatory Indians on the frontier of the Rio Grande from Santa Fe to Matamoras. Early in last win. ter a correspondence was opened by the Secretary of State with the Mexican Consul in New Orleans, containing propositions to exchange prisoners, so far as the number of Texians would ex

tend, and then to release the excess of Mexican prisoners on pa. role.

"Notwithstanding the humanity and liberality of this offer, it has met no official response from that government. It seemed to me, that it would be in accordance with the civilization of the age, to release all the prisoners, and permit them to leave our shore as soon as they can do so. In the mean time I have learn. ed 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 their homes.

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

"It will be seen that the adoption of the common law of Eng. land, with the modifications adapted to our situation, is required by the provisions of the constitution.

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Nothing can conduce more to order and stability of a gov ernment than the simplicity of laws, the proper designation of rights, 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 those 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 aided in dispelling our embarrassments. Such men deserve the gratitude as well as the justice of our country.

"While reflecting upon the dispensations of an Almighty Being, who has conducted our country through scenes of unparal leled privation, massacre and suffering, it is but gratitude and sen. sibility, to render Him our most devout thanks, and invoke his benignity and future providence, and that He will preserve us as a chosen people. SAM. HOUSTON.

Houston, May 5, 1837.