WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1830
191
public, and sought to establish the belief, that I had been un- worthily connected? This was doubtless the object of the indi- vidual who drafted the report, but not the object of the committee who adopted it; for my own knowledge of them, forbids a con- clusion so prejudicial to their integrity! I courted the sympathy of no one - I have sought to prejudice no one in society. - I have acquiesced in my destiny, and been silent! It seems to me to have been a favorite object, with the mover, who incited the call of a committee, to give publicity to a letter of mine, which is appended to their Report; and however much, I may regret its publication, and certainly can derive no pleasure from advertising it, but that which results from the power of correcting an error, in which the committee were placed - The committee states "that the letter ,vas written shortly after the separation" - this is not the truth! It was written previous to the separation; but as it failed in restoring harmony, the separation occurred immediately afterwards, and seemed to be indispensible to the circumstances of the parties! I presume the committee had no improper design, in sanctioning a misstatement of the fact, as to the time, when the letter was written. So far as the feelings of the heart are expressed in the letter, I have nothing to regret, and it is. but justice to say, that it is expressive of a most agnozing state of mind, in contemplation of a total wreck of happiness, and probably desolation of all my future hopes! But the letter has been published by the committee, with- out "comment," and of course its contents adopted as true! The subject of my "conduct and character," would not have formed a committee precedent for after times; if I had not dared to visit Nashville, -·and as some apology may be expected from me for the act - I will detail a circumstance which may be of ·some service, in leading the committee into the secret, of being summoned upon business of a character so extraordinary! Last spring whilst I remained in the City of Washington, a letter was received by a Member of Congress, from an in<li·vid11al in Sumner county, inclosing a communication to the "Editors of the N. Intelligencer" for publication, and as I was assured, of very abusive and ribald character, against me! Its character was such, as to exclude it from publication! The contents of the letter accompanying it, came to my knowledge: and it does seem to me from the spirit which it dictated, and the report of the committee: that they were both from the same source. - the re- port only being a milder form! The letter went to enquire what
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