June 4 1836 to July 21 1836 - PTR, Vol. 7

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13352] {CHAMBERS to HOUSTON]

Genl. Sam!. Houston

Nashville June 9Lh 1836

Dear General,

I enclose a copy of a letter that I addressed to the Honble. Sarni. P. Carson Secretary of State of the republic of Texas and his answer in order that you may be made acquainted with my operations. During the gloomy period between the time of my parting with you in Texas and the brilliant achievement of San Jacinto, I was unable to raise funds, either on my own account or the faith of Texas, to pay the expenses of collecting and transporting the army I was appointed to raise, and I was just on the eve of abandoning the enterprise, and of returning to join you with the few that were willing and able to pay their own way, when I heard of your splendid victory. Permit me to congratulate you upon [torn] and glorious event; for its immediate affects in Texas, although it saved the Country from being entirely devastated by a barbarian foe, was scarcely of more importance there, than it has been here in restoring the credit of the country, and reestablishing public confidence. I myself was well satisfied that the Fabian system that you adopted and by which Washington had saved these United States, would produce the same result, and I often predicted that the invaders would at last find a Marathon and a Miltiades on the plains of Texas; but I was unable to convince others. The confidence in the fortunes of Texas has now become so great, that I fear in the end it will be productive of some evil. A very general opinion is beginning to prevail that the war is over, and that there is no farther use for volunteers. I trust that you have not faJlen into this belief. The safety of the Country and your own glory require that we should guard against the fatal error into which we were led after the fall of San Antonio. The influence of Santa Anna is destroyed forever, and no respect will be paid to anything he may do. The party that seduced him still prevails and although it may fall, the war has become national, and Mexico never wiU acknowledge the independence of Texas, until she is whipped into it. Before the end of August a new army will fall upon us, and I trust we shall be prepared for it. Now is the time for preparation and I shall not relax in my exertions until my division is completed.

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