WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1836
454.
I pledge myself most solemnly to do all in my power in ac- cordance with this plan, and my situation, to obtain the release and restoration of General Santa Anna, and his countrymen to their homes. As to the plan proposed by General Santa Anna it is impossible to say what effect it would have, or that it would have a bene- ficial effect on the Cabinet at Washington, or the people of that country whose moral, and political opinions have weight and influence on the government unless previously apprised of the course proposed. . It could be left with Col. Bee/ whether, or not on his arrival at Washington it would be proper to hand the letter referred to to the Mexican Minister. It does seem to me, that this course is the most safe, and cer- tain of success, presenting the least difficulty of any which can be adopted and will afford an opportunity for Santa Anna to reach home by January, as I will send a minister forthwith to Washing- ton with as much dispatch as possible. SAM HOUSTON Columbia 25th Oct. 1836. 1 Crane, The Life and Select Lite,·ary Remains of Sam Houston, 122-123. 1 Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr., came to Texas from South Carolina in 1836. He served in the cabinet of David G. Burnet during the ad intcri?n govern- ment, also in the cabinets of both Houston and Lamar. From 1838 to 1841, he was the Texan minister to the United States. It was mainly through his influence that General James Hamilton, his brother-in-law, took so deep en interest in Texan affairs. Barnard E. Bee, Sr., had two sons, Barnard E. Bee, Jr., and Hamilton P. Bee, who were active in Texas history. Banard E. Bee, Sr., died in South Carolina in 1853. See Baker, Texas Sc1·ap Book, 289. Thrall, A Pic:.torial Histo,·y of Texas, 500. Texas Histori- cal Quarte,·ly, II, 54. G. P. Garrison, Texas Diplomatic Co,-resvondence, I, 176, 387, 408, 447, 462; II, 136-140, passim. E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jour nals, 28-177, passim.
To THOMAS ToBY 1 Executive Department, Columbia Octo. 25, 1836.
Thos. Toby Esq and Thos. Toby and Bro. Gentm. It gives me pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your communication to my predecessor in office of the 15th inst. And in apprising you of the recent change which has taken place in the administration of our public affairs, I am happy to be able to tender the acknowledgements due for your exertions in our
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