The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 154
382 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
154 Texas Historical Association Quarterly
3. Some Results of the Fire.-Governor Pease in his message
to the sixth legislature, November 5, 1855, called attention to this
fire and made the recommendations below:'
I submit herewith a communication from the Adjutant Gen-
eral,2 in relation to the burning of his office, which contains all
the information that has been obtained in regard to this truly
lamentable occurrence, by which all the original archives of the
War and Navy Departments of the late Republic of Texas, have
been destroyed.
This great loss should impress upon us the necessity of provid-
ing suitable fire proof buildings, for the security of the remaining
archives of our government.
The records and papers of the State Department are now kept
in an insecure wooden building, equally as liable to be fired either
by accident or an incendiary, as was that of the Adjutant Gen-
eral's office.
The building now occupied by the General Land Office, although
sufficient for the period of its erection, is now entirely inadequate
for the increased business of that office, a larger and more com-
modious building would facilitate the despatch of its business,
and the present Land Office would furnish ample rooms for those
of our public offices that are not now supplied with fire proof
buildings.
This matter is commended to your consideration with a confi-
dence that you will adopt all reasonable means to insure the safety
of our public records.
I also think it would be a measure of prudence, to have a person
employed to guard our public buildings at night, this precaution
might prevent them from being broken open, and their contents
destroyed or taken away, and would render them more secure from
fire.
The recommendations of the governor were observed by the
legislature. The sum of $40,000 was appropriated for the erec-
tion of a new fire proof building for the use of the General Land
Office3-the. building still in use at present. It was further pro-
vided that on completion of the new building, the one vacated by
the General Land Office should be occupied by the Secretary of
State, the Governor, and the Attorney General.
'Senate Journal, 6th Legislature, pp. 42, 43.
2This communication from the Adjutant General has not been found.
3Gammel, Laws of Texas, IV, 231.
4Ibid., IV, 236.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912, periodical, 1912; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101056/m1/159/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.