145
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1829
is in this state of feeling that my heart so proudly recurs, in grati- tude to the man who dared to lend the moral aid of his presence, to dispel the cloud of misfortune, and thereby diminish the weight of misery, which I had been doomed to feel! Passing from those days to the present, I am on my way to Washington, and perhaps New York, before my return to the place of my exile. Many will be the conjectures as to my object in the trip, and it is useless to assure you that it is neither to solicit office or favors, either of our friend, the President, or the Government in any respect. And this assurance I will give you, that my only study shall be to deport myself in such a manner, as can in no wise embarrass neither his feelings, nor his circum- stanceS. So soon after my exile as possible, I assured hi,m "That I would accept no situation under the Government, nor did I wish anything of him, but the continuance of his friendship, and that arose from the proud consciousness that it was merited." It is probable that I may return thro' Tennessee, and if I should, I hope to see you, and your family in health and happi- ness, and then I will make known the object of my visit, which I would cheerfully do at this time could I see you face to face. It would give me great pleasure to hear from you while at the City, and if you do me the favor to write, be pleased to enclose it to Judge White's 3 care! If this were not done the curious would open my letter as they have done this summer before they reach me! · Be pleased to express in the most sincere terms, my grateful friendship to Mrs. Overton, & howday's to the children, and ac- cept assurances of my perfect regard and esteem for yourself. Sam Houston. Hon. John Overton. 2 1 Sam Houston Letters, The University of Texas Library. This is a certi- fied copy of the original, presented to The University of Texas Library by John H. DeWitt. ~John Overton (April 9, 1766-April 12, 1833) was a life-long friend of both General Jackson and Houston. He succeeded Jackson ns Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, and was one of the early promoters of the City of Memphis. James Phelan, History of Tennessee, 330-345. J. W. Caldwell, Sketches of the Bench and Ba1· of Tennessee, 77-83. Dictionary of American Biography, XIV, 115-116. 3 See Houston to Jackson, December 13, 1826.
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