Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-04-05
Letter of Governor Houston
WAsHrscros, March 30, 1860.

The following Is the last letter from Gov.
Houston 10 regard to the affairs on the from
tiers Of Texas. IL is addressed to the Sec
Rotary Of War. After some preliminary re-
marks, in which he dcfe nds his conduc, in
endeavoring to sffbrd protection to the
frontier Inhabitants, the Governor says:
ain a New Orleans tpa2er my eye met a
telegraph dispatch Of Tie 3D. inst, from
Washington, stating that the Presiden mt dis
approved Of the action taken BY Governor
Houston, ~ calling out volunteers to defend
the frontier. | can but feel assured that this
femerk, In view Of the facts which have
transpired since my introduction into office,
cannot be justified. and calls for refutation,
for the reason that ] have ordered no troops
on the Rio Grande or destined for 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 com.
paaies were formed under the sdvice of the
Com missioners comforting with Major Hem
,zelman. Of the United States navy. They
are subject to his order. / was very re-
%luctant to trouble the Department. and re-
solved that I would not do 90 upon any
frivolous pretext. Hence It was that | sent
Commissioners that 1 might possess myself
Of the origin Of the difficulties, and | re.
solued if | should find them Of such grave
character as to require my action, that |
would lay them before the Governtncnt,ths I
the President might direct corresponding
sction to be taken in relation thereto. You
will thus perceive the becoming caution
exercised, and 1t the ssme time the scrup-
ulous Difference paid The Federal Govern.
ment. Had | consulted the wishes OF our
citizens, J would have called In the filed the
whole Available force or Texas and Gro ssed
the Rio Grande, and never have recrossed II
until we wouldshave had security ,for the
future. +'
1.-THE troops sent to the Rrlo Grabde did
not. ds far as I am apptised, contemplate
crossing to Mexiean soil until the Ranchero
wss fred into from the Mexican side Of the
river and q man wounded, and c%erIainly
there w'j no aothority given them to do so.
Though It does seem to me that |, would
have been UNSUITABLE in pursuing an outls "
and rebel where ever he might be found, OF
wherever he received aid, succor and pi O.
lection, under the Circumstances Of the attack
upon . vessel Of the United States in the
waters Of Texas, I can bu, discover more in
the conduct to commend than to censure
"Sincs 1851 | have been written to from
various parts OF the Un'fsI States urging
me 70 invade Mexico. with a view to the
establishment Of q Protectorate, and assur.
ing me that men, money and arms would be
placed at my disposal, IL 7 world engage in
the enterprise. To these overtures I made
no favorable response, though as an indi.
vidunl ] might have co-opers,ed with then
by situation to accomplish any achievement,
of personal or political sggrandizement.-
You, sir. may assure the President, that !
will counsel or countenance no action with
a view to complicutc or embarrass the az.
fairs Of his Adm inistration, nor will in.
tentionalls plant q thorn in his pathway OF
HE. fnever have nor will | ever perform
an official act that 10 not inten'l led Tor nv
country's advancement and prosperity"
aside from oil salfshness now as to nv
calling out volunteers, you will be able ia
jucge OF the Propriety of my calls wheu
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 depredations from
the Indians. Some of them within forty
four miles Of our State capital. Accomp,
anying this letter ] send tho Deparl ment'
list Of parsons killed, as well as the local
tiles In which the murders we're peipetrated
10 the last four months, fftv.ore personi
were killed and many wounded; six wers
wounded In escaping from the savages.-
Horses, to the number Of eighteen hundred
have been stolen, and within the last few
days seventy horses were stolen from tn,
Dragons at Camp Cooper. When the or
ders which have been issued by the Execu
tive Of Texas reach the Department, the,
will at once show the necessity Of his cours,
% we'll as the propriety OF calling out vol
%unteers in Texas to defend the frontier.
cannot but urge most earnestly 1.-THE ca lin,
out Of a regiment Of Rangers by the FEEDER
al Government to protect the lives and pro
perry Of our citizens. The fact that Re
guls's cannot protect their cavalry sgains'
Indian thefts and depreciation !, 10 evidenc,
that they are not the description Of fore,
that can give protection to our frontiers.
"Since commenced this communicable
intelligence has reached me of other muir
ders and thefts ID Ersth county, mai
rider killed and scalped sithin !.six miles .
the county seat; likewise a woman murder
3D. and a woman : child carried into caf,iv
ity. ,., NJ, .t.a5 Ell
II hope for . speedy reply. a. our situa
ZION cslls for prompt seton, We need aEml
~ we'll ~ Rangers. ~ ~ Bsa.l. y
IL have the honor to DO your most obedi
snt servant. (Signed) scr .4ns Ma 4
~ .4s Eoi .s"SAM. HOUSTON"