The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume I

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1829

144

among us; We do as a committee appointed by order of the principal chief John Jolly; Solemnly, firmly, and unrecovably grant to him for ever all the rights, privileges, and Immunities of a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and do as fully impower him with all rights and liberties as tho he was a native Cherokee, while at the Same time the Said Houston will be required to yield obedience to all laws and regulations made for the government of the Native Citizens of the Cherokee Nation. Jn witness whereof, we have this day Set our hands this 21st day of October 1829

his Walter X Webber President Comte. mark Aaron Price vice his John X Jolly mark Chief principal

Cherokee Nation Illenois

Jno Brown Clk ) ( Nation 1 Comtee )

[Endorsed] : Admission letter from the Cherokee Chiefs to Houston 21st Oct 1829. 1 0riginal in the Sam Houston Teachers College Museum, Huntsville, Texas. Photostat, Texas State Library.

To JOHN OVERTON 1

Steam Boat Amazon, 28 Dec. 1829. My Excellent Friend : 2 Passing near to the Borders of a land, so dear to me as Tennessee, and reflecting upon the most inter- esting events of my life, I cannot pass by your unremitted kind- nesses & friendship to me in all situations, and trials- and I should be equally wanting, in justice to my feelings, and to your worth, were I to suppress the expression (tho' it can avail noth- ing) of my most grateful, and friendly regard. In prosperity you regarded me well, and generously, but when the darkest, direst hour of human misery was passing by, you called upon roe to sustain· me by the lights of age, philosophy, and friendship. This was at a time when others were missing the gall & vinegar. These were moments of awful agony to me, they were moments which few have felt, and I trust none may ever feel again! The hour of anguish has passed by, and my soul feels all that tranquili- ty, arising from conscious gratitude which it can bestow! And it

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