The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-03
THERMOMETERS,


INTERESTING G LETTER FROM GOV. HOUSTON.
The following highly interesting letter has been
received by Secretary Floyd:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Austin March IL 1850
To Hon. j. B. Floyd, Secretary of War; Wash
ington, ID. C.:-Sir-Realizing that it is my duty
to address your department, that it may be laid be-
fore his Excellency tho President, thus de-
vote myself to action for two purposes. First, to
vindicate myself from misapprehension, and next
to obtain, if possible protection for our frontier
inhabitants, whose suffering and losses feel assur-
ed are not felt or known by the government. In a
New orleans paper my eye met telegraphic des-
patch of the Sd inst from Washington stating that
the President disapproves of the action taken by
Gov Houston in calling out volunteers to defend
the frontier. can but feel assured that this re-
mark, In view OF the facts which have transpired
since my induction into office, cannot be Justified
and calls for refutaton, for the reason that have
ordered no troops on the Rio Grande or destined
Tor that frontier. So far from that being the case
four companies which were in service on the Rio
Grande when came into office were mustered
out of service, and two companies were formed un-
der the advice of the commissioners comforting
with Major Heintzelman, of the United States ar
my. They are subject to his order. l was very
reluctant to trouble the department, and resolved
that would not do so under any frivolous pretsxt
Hence it was that l sent commissioners that
might possess myself of the origin of the difficult
ties, and if should find them of such grave char
acter as to require my action, would Law them
before the government, that the President might
direct corresponding action to be taken in relation
thereto. You will thus perceive the becoming
caution, and, at the time, the scru-
pulous Difference to the Federal Govern
ment. Had | consulted the wishes and impulses
of our citizens would have called in the field the
whole available force of Texas, and crossed the Rio
Grande, and never have re-crossed it until we
would have had security for the future. The troops
sent to the Rio Grande did not, so far as am ap-
prised, contemplate crossing the Mexican soil un-
TIL the ranchero was fired into from the Mexican
side OF the river, and man wounded, and certain
ly there was no authority given them to do so;
though 1t does seem to me that would have been
Justlfiab in pursuing outlaw and rebel Wher
ever he might be found, or wherever he received
aid, succor and protection. Under the circum-
stances OF the attack upon vessel of the United
States In the waters of Texas, can but discover
more In the conduct to commend than to censure
1t may be that the Executive of the United States
regarding the rumors and the paragraphs in the
newspapers, may suppose that | entertain some
covert design in invading, placing myself beyond
the jurisdiction of the United States; nor was
without an assurance that large portion of the
Mexican population would receive me, and co-ope-
rate with me in the restoration of order in that
country. Thus have remained tranquil and ST.
lent In the hope that the Government of the
United States would consummate policy which
must and will be achieved by some one or the mis-
erabe inhabitants of that lovely region are to be
destroyed by conflict of robbers. | trust | am
one OF the last men on earth who would avail my
sell OF an ohclal Mexico and for that call
Tor volunteers to protect Texas against Indian
depredations has caused misapprehension of my
actions 'Tis true that since 1857 have been writ
ten to from various parts of the United States
urging me to invade Mexico, with view to the es-
tablishing of Protectorate, and assuring me that
men, money and arms would be placed at my dis
posa If would d~engage IN the enterprise. To these
| overtures made no favorable response, though as
an individual, might have co-operated with them,
by situation, to accomplish any achievement OF
| mar nroln t.ool
may assure the President that | will continue or
countenance no action with view to complcate
or embarrass the affairs of his administration, nor
will Intentionally plant thorn in his pathway of
life. never have, nor will ever, perform an Of
ncal act that is not intended for my countrv's ad-
vancement and prosperity, aside from all selfish
ness. Now, as to my calling out volunteers. You
will be able to judge of the propriety of my calls
when you have the facts which present to the
| Department before you. For the information Of
the Department, | have to state that within the
last few months our Indian frontier, as well as
some counties considered in the interior have been
exposed to ruthless depredatons from the Indians,
some OF them within "A miles of our State capital
Accompanying this letter | send the Department a
list of persons killed, as well the localities in
which the murders were perpetrated. In the last
iour months hfty-one persons were killed and many
wounded in escaping from the savages. Horses
to the number of 800 have been stolen and with
| IN the last few days seventy horses were stolen
from the dragons at Camp Cooper When the
orders which have been issued by the Executive of
Texas reach the Department they will at once show
the necessity OF his course as well as the proprety
OF calling out volunteers in Texas to defend the
frontier. | cannot but urge most earnestly the
calling outot regiment of rangers by the Federal
Government to protect the lives and property of
our citizens The tact that regulars cannot pro-
tect their cavalry against Indian hefts and depreda
ons evidence that they not the description of
ferce that can give protection to our frontiers-
Moreover, have not, until urged by an impera-
tive sense OF duty, as well the destruction of
human life, sought to induce the calling out of
troops from the State, as the only force that can
protect our settlements against our Indian foe
They understand Indian habits and warfare and
can trail and reclaim the booty, and at the same
time take vengeance upon the enemy. A treaty of
pc ace with the wild Indians who depredate, would
with the expenditure of comparatively small sum,
save millions to the government of the United
States; for until they exterminated or peace is
made with them, guards must be constantly kept,
al an immense expense to the government, and
even then our settlements will be subject to sur
prise and massacre. Were the Indians to enter
our territory IN large bodies, we could meet and
destroy them; but they attack in small parties of
some SIX 10 niteen simultaneously, for hundreds of
hnna .hat ha1ng our frontiers do most earnestly
nope that the guarantees which we have a right to
| look TO may be extended and the State protected
| against invasions. Since commenced this com
munlcation, intelligence has reached me of other
murders and thefts in Erath countv-a mail
rider killed and scalped within six miles of the
county seat likewise, woman murdered, and a
woman and child carried into captivity. 7 hone
for speedy reply, as our situation for promnt
action. We need arms as well as Rangers. have
| the honor to be your most obedient servant
| SAM HoUsToN
| The SLAYER VIRGINIAN.-The SLAYER Virginian.
brought into Norfolk on the 9th, is still at that
port A COZ respondent writes-"On her arrival
steps were Immediately taken for bringing the cap
tain of the Virginian to trial for the offence OF
which it is alleged he is guilty. The preliminary
examination took place on the 3Oh before the Uni
ted States Commissioner, and the prisoner has been
remanded for trial, which is to take place on the
Slst of May next, and the proper authorities have
been communicated with for the purpose of bring
ing Mcguire to trial by court martial. 1t is not
intended to take any proceedings against the other
mutneers, m but merely to detain them as witnesses.
ne se mutiny broke out when the vessel was in lat
20 sie' N; and long. 4.53 W., and the Virgnian was
on Amprisette when she sighted the English steam
she was" w "'aiu " "iseo'e' "D"'
Six hundred female binders and st;,cbers of LYNN
visited Marblehead in procession on Thursday-
i xxx~V l. Hwr-- .I-u--