in bonds of former amity."[65]  In conclusion, he appealed to Lamar to apprehend all persons from the Río Grande who took mules, horses, or other property into Texas for sale, unless they could produce passports, signed by him or his authorized agent. Early in January 1839, traders from the Río Grande, possessing passports from the Federalists appeared in Texas to report the successes of the liberals in northern Mexico and to announce their desire to continue a free trade with Texas, asserting, at the same time, that the Federalists were friendly disposed towards Texas.[66]  When the Third Congress met the same month it took notice of the Federalist movement on the Río Grande. The House of Representatives, in secret session, requested the President to transmit to it the correspondence of the Executive with the Federal leaders and to indicate if he thought it desirable to open communications with them.[67]  On forwarding on January 16 a copy of the only letter he had received to date from the Federalists relating to the substance of the House resolution, Lamar informed the House of Representatives that, "The proposition made by Genl. Canales for such steps to be taken by this Government, as may preserve harmony on the border, is cordially received by the Executive, who is ever ready to reciprocate every friendly disposition, and to adopt all honorable measures which may tend to supercede the necessity of further hostilities"; but whether the procedure suggested by Canales was best calculated to accomplish the desired object, he would leave to the judgment of Congress, although he presumed a law on the subject might be of some benefit to Texas. No matter what Congress might determine in respect to the Mexican trade, the President suggested that the nation maintain military preparedness. In view of the present condition of the Republic's relations with Mexico, he could perceive of no benefit to the nation by communicating with Canales or any other