WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1830
the appointment for him. When you were elected President of the U. States, I assured you, that I would not annoy you with recommendations in favor of persons who might wish to obtain office, or patronage from you: But as I regard the claims of Capt. Pryor, as peculiar, and paramount to those, of any man, within my knowledge, I can not withhold a just tribute of regard. He was the first man who volunteered, to accompany Lewis, and Clark, on their tour to the Pacific Ocean- He was then in the army for some four or five years- Resigned & at the commence- ment of the last war entered the Army again, and was a Captain in the 44th Regt. under you at New Orleans; and a braver man, never fought under the wings of your Eagles. He has done more to tame,- and pacificate the dispositions of the Osages, to the whites, and surrounding Tribes of Indians than all other men, and has done more in promoting the authority of the U. States imd compelling the Osages, to comply with demands from Colonel Arbuckle than any person could have supposed. Capt. Pryor is a man of amiable character, and disposition, of fine sense; strict honor,- perfectly temperate, in his habits, and unremitting in his attention to business. The Secy of War assured me when I was in Washington, that his "claim should be considered of"- yet another was appointed, and he was passed by- He is poor,- having been t\vice robbed by Indians of Furs, and merchandise-- some ten years since. For better information, in relation to Capt. Pryor, I will beg leave to refer you to Genl Campbell, Colo Benton, and Gov. Floyd of Va who is his first cousin. With every wish for your Glory & }:Iappiness, I have the honor, to be your most obedient servt. Sam Houston [Addressed]: To Genl Jackson :President of U. States Wash- ington City Genl Campbell [Endorsed] : Indian Office Feby. 12, 1831 Refered to the Secretary of War A. J. 1 Courtesy of Mr. Grant Foreman, a photostat from his private library. 2 Captain Nathaniel Pryor was born in Virginia, the time and place not known, but probably in Amherst County, since his mother, a daughter of William Floyd and Abadiah Davis, was married in that county in 1747. Abadiah was the daughter of Nathaniel Davis whose wife was the daughter of Nichetti who was a daughter of Chief Powatan and a sister of Pocahontas. Through the Davises Pryor was also connected with the Shelbys, the Lewises, the Cabells, and with Jefferson Davis. Nathaniel Pryor probably moved to Kentucky with the family of his uncle, Charles Floyd. In 1803 Pryor and
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