WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
236
·Mr. Jas Prentiss [Addressed]: free F. Grundy Mr. James Prentiss Mail New York [Endorsed]: Genl S. Houston 9June 1832 answd June 19 1832. 1 Ju.mes P,·entiss Letters, The University of Texas Library. ~Lewis Cass (Exeter, New Hampshire, October 9, 1782-Detroit, Michi- gan, June 17, 1866), soldier, diplomat, statesman. See the Dictionary of Americcm Biogrn.phy, III, 562-564. Charles Lanman, D-ictionary of the United States Congress, 73. 3 Charles A. Clinton was a son of DeWitt Clinton, and was interested in Texas lands. He was dabbling in various speculations promoted by ·James Prentiss. See Prentiss to Houston, May 24, 1832. •1 A bill for the rechartering of the Second United States bank was pending.
~Evidently refers to Jackson's attitude toward the bank. 0 See notes under James Prentiss to Houston, May 24, 1832.
7 This paragraph seems to hint that• the rumors that Houston had plans, or dreams of taking Texas from Mexico and establishing a great western empire might not have been all idle gossip. 8 Andrew Jackson, the President.
To MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 1
Washington City, 12th June, 1832 Gentlemen: Having learned on last evening that you were a sub-committee appointed for the purpose of examining private letters which passed from me to General Van Fossen since the 4th of April, 1830, and using the contents of them, so far as they relate to the subject of investigation by the general committee. I have no hesitation in submitting to your examination all the letters written to him since that time; and give you leaye to use any and all parts of them which have the least relavency to the parties or persons connected with the whole matter. The letters have all been placed in my possession by General Van Fossen, and are fully within my control. They are private versonal property, to which the committee have no claim, and, however inquisitorial the course of proceedings may be, I am dztermined not to withhold them, although my absolute right to do so must be admitted. The letter dated 4th of April, 1830, was written at the press- ing solicitation of a gentleman who called on me at Baltimore, after my departure from this place for the western country. Sam Houston
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