Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-27

native Union he hOnorS as a mother
to Texas he gives the passionate love
ola bridegroom; he weed her BY hiselo-
quence, he Won her with his sword
He may chide her wayward fancies,
and fly from her caprices, but he per-
petually retraces his truant steps to re-
pose at her feet
: Gen. Houston's second administra-
ton has been called :" the govern
ment of OMISSION Except in treat.
ing for annexation, into which he was
! forced against his own judgement by
the overwhelming andirresistible voice
of the people, it will only be remem-
.-bered for what he did not do. The
8 measures which he refused to adopt
make the landmarks Of his course
HIS judicious economy, and a prudent
abstinence from any strong compromi-
sing action during his first term, had
left no salient points for attack; and
this properly decanted upon in his own
brilliant and persuasive way, had been
worth TO him second election.
Elated by the perfect triumph of his
non action plan, Houston resolved to
test the utmost capabilities of the sys-
ten. He went deliberately to work
to nullify all Lamar had done or aimed
!, to do. His first act was to destroy the
navy, which all previous administra-
lions, including his own, had been so
anxious to create, and which had but
just been tostered into some efficiency
The second was to abandon the capt.
ial, and devote the border settlements
to destruction AS this threw back
the population upon Eastern Texas,
and increased his popularity in that
quarter, it was not SO dangerous to his
personal interest as it appears on the
surface. The third was to invite back
the savage tribes that had been driven
from the vicinity of the settlements at
the cost of SO many invaluable lives
There is no doubt he was actuated in
This by right and mercilul motives, and
his Indian policy might, if he could
have controlled the matter absolutely
IN the long run be the safer, as it GER
tainly was the most desirable plan.
But the suspicious and blood-loving
Indian mistrusts the white race. The
traditions of three centuries Of wrong
and strife are not to he washed away
by a few drops Of ink; and forbearance
that omits 10 repress, and that steTn'y,
his outrages, he construes into weak
ness. Lamar was ready to treat, but
lie chastised without mercy the infrac-
ton of treaties, and the sayages kept
tie peace,or observed wary distance.
Houston forgave, and kept forgiving,
until he obtained the confidence Of ma
ny ofthe tribes, and made such terms
with them as will tend to the lasting
benefit of both races. Tn the mean
time, however, his policy has laid waste
the Eden of the West. All the farms
around Austin have been deserted, and
the country house of President Lamar
only two miles from !he caphai, can no
longer be inhabited. The tenants
would be scalped in a week. The
Red men do not reciprocate, as et,the'
loving-kindness Of the Texian govern
ment.
Still, with all these draw backs, Gen.
Houston's Indian policy is just and
humane, and it may eventually prove
the most salutary. He has also nam
tanned regular and rigid system of.
economy in the management of the
public funds, and by this help materi-
ally improved the national currency.
His neglecting to succor the unfor-
tunate Texian prisoners who were pi-i
ming in the dungeons Of Mexico, and
his refusal to pay theseamen of his fleet
their hard-earned wages, are extreme
and unfavorable examples of this econ
.omy, but in finance his general conduct
has been wise and commercially safe. !
In that respect perhaps none of his
scompeers have equalled his prudence.
The leading powers of Europe had re-
cognized the independence of Texas
in Lamar's time, and manifested by
prompt and liberal treaties a growing
sense Of her inter-commercial impor-
lance. Houston drew closer the bonds
of amity, and for time betrayed so
strong preference for European ALI
ances, that the United States Charge
took the alarm. He communicated to
his own government his fears that Eng !
land would under free trade colors con-
vert Texas intoa cotton growing colo
ny, and monopolize her growing trade
to the absolute exclusion Of our ships
and manufactures. Capt. Elliott, the (
British Charge, was in effect the min.
lister foreign relations, and he look !
ed confidently forward to the day when
Texas could so far supply the spindles /
and looms of England, that rupture !
with the United States could-be endur-
ed without fear ola revolution at home,
or tAa transfer of tho commercial hal