WRITINGS OF SAl\-1 HOUSTON, 1833
277
of leaving Fort Gibson was generally a wilderness until my re- turn to Nacogdoches. Occasional Houses, and even villages, are to be met with on the rout, but for hundreds of miles our only reliance, in passing waters which were very high at the season that I passed thro the country, was to swim the small water courses, and raft the large ones. This in a wilderness country rendered the trip not just so plea·sant. I will be gratified if you will do me the honor of having me apprised of the receipt of my accounts, and the action of the Department upon them, as early as possible. My address will be "Crows Ferry, Louisiana." Sam Houston Gov. Lewis. Cass 2 Secy of war. P. E. I am not aware that Mr. Ellsworth of the " Indian Com- mission," on Arkansas, has apprised the Dept of his instructions to me; previous to my leaving Ft Gibson. If not, I would be glad that the Secy of War should see them! S. H. 1 James Prentiss Letters, The University of Texas Library. Ho11ston Let- ters, Texas State Library. 2 Lewis Cass (October 9, 1782-June 17, 1866), soldier, diplomat, statesman. See Dictionary of American Biogrn.phy, III, 562-564.
HOUSTON'S PETITION FOR A DIVORCE 1
The Free State of Coahuila and Texas, District of Ayish: To William McFarland, Esq., Alcalde in and for said district: The petition of Samuel Houston of said district respectfully represents to your honor that your petitioner was formerly a citi- zen of Davidson County, State of Tennessee, one of the United States of the North. That on the 18th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1829 he inter-married with Miss Eliza H. Allen of Sumner County in said mentioned State. That on the 15th day of April next thereafter a separation took place between your petitioner and his Said wife, and that they never since that time, nor can they ever meet again. . Your petitioner would further beg leave to present to your honor that most civilized countries, have unaccountably adopte:l much of the doctrine of canon law in relation to marriage. The fopperies and quaint conceits indulged by that law, with such
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