WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1835
294
me, either papers, or hand Bills. I heard with singular pleasure, that you were recovering the use of your arm! I had heard of the occurrence of the meeting, 3 but never the particulars, until I learned them from your brother- They gratified me much, be- cause they were in perfect accordance, with my €stimate of you, and your character, should you ever have to meet a Crisis- I hope you may never feel the nec€ssity of another!! William shewed me his card 4 in answer to Austin's ridiculous letter of last August from Mexico. 5 I think he has left the little Gentleman very few crumbs of comfort- I was provoked at his first letter, where he b1·oke into prison, but when I read his letter of August, I must confess that it awakened no other emotion in my breast, than pity mingled with contempt. He showed the dis- position of the viper without its fangs. The first was very im- prudent, the second pusillanimous. He aimed at me a few thrusts, but I will wait an interview with him before I make any public expose of his want of understanding; or his political incon- sistencies. Your brother says that you are "gathering gear," and enjoy it well. God speed you my dear fellow and may you live a thousand years? I am doing pretty well, and certainly am one of the most steady men in Texas. Write to me soon a;nd often- Sam Houston Jno A Wharton Esqr 1 P. S. Whenever you see Mrs Wharton I pray you to make my most grateful, kind, and respectful salutations. William said he would send me two fine Dogs, male and female, to perpetuate the blood of faithful Wolf- Poor Wolf! He is like your ·Yorick!! Houston Wharton [Addressed]: To Jno A. Wharton, Atto at Law Brazoria, ·Texas Kindness of Mr. Allen. [Endorsed] : Letter of Sam Houston Nacogdoches Apl 14, '35. 1 Lamar Pape1·s, I, 201. 2 William Harris Wharton. See the Southwestern Histo,·ical Quarterly, XIX, 271-278. E. C. Barker, Life of Stephen F. Austin (passim). Garrison, Texan Diplomatic Correspondence (passim). Dictionary of Amtrican Biog- ravhy, XX, 34-35. 3 A letter from Mrs. Austin Wood, daughter of William T. Austin, in The University of Texas Library, tells the story of a duel between William T. Austin and John A. Wharton, fought in 1834. This was the "meeting" to
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