WRITINGS OF S,tM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
248
J as Prentiss Esqr Mr. Noland is still here! [ Endorsed] : Genl Saml Houston 27 June 1832. 1 James Prentiss Letters, The University of Texas Library. :see Houston to Prentiss, June 17, 1832. 3 Duff Green (August 15, 1791-June 10, 1875) was the editor of the United States Telegravh, which in 1828 was the chief organ of Jacksonism. Before Jackson's first administration (1829-1832), Green had been the editor of a paper in St. Louis, but in 1825 traded his paper for one in Washington. He arrived at the capital a poor man, but supported Jackson with great ardor and ability, and after the election in 1829, obtained a large portion of the public printing contracts and became prosperous. He was a genial soul, a good story-teller, and a liberal host. Jackson was fond of the man, but after the Jackson-Calhoun controversy and break in 1830, Green sided with Calhoun, thereby alienating himself from the President. See James Parton, Life of Andrew Jcickson, III, 181-182. The Dictionary cf American Biogra])hy, VII, 540-542. 1 Anthony Butler. Justin H. Smith's estimate of Anthony Butler, his character, ability, and shortcomings, has been quoted by so many historical authorities that it has become almost a classic; but it is probably too harsh (See Smith's The War With Mexico, II, 62). Anthony Butler was born about 1787. He entered the War of 1812 as a lieutenant-colonel and was honorably discharged a colonel, June 15, 1815. He served as a member of the Kentucky Legislature, and was once a candidate for Governor of that state. In 1829 he succeeded Poinsett as charge d' affaires at Mexico, and in 1838 began a third term in the Congress of the Republic of Texas. He was a representative from Washington County. At the beginning of the Mexi- can War he offered his seryjces to General Taylor in the belief, as he said, that his thorough knowledge of the country would be very useful. The date and place of his death has not been certainly ascertained for this report. (See Eugene C. Barker, "The Private Papers of Anthony Butler," in The Nation, June 15, 1911.)
To JAMES PRENTISS 1
Washington 28th June 1832 My dear Sir Your favor of the 26th has this moment reached me, and I thank you for it:. I wrote to Mr. Jackson last night, and, wou'd not have written just as I did, if yours had come to hand befol·e, I wrote. Another day has passed by (nearly) and no word of Genl. Mason! If you will recollect I always re- garded this matter as one some what extraneous of the object of my trip to Texas, but as you and Jackson are concluded, fully upon the subject, I do not care to say any thing on it, but take the course you may deem best, not that I would dread the respon- sibility, but that your chance to judge rightly, is as good as mine! By delay we are to be much benefited, or much injured,
.I
Powered by FlippingBook