WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836
460
for distribution as it has been difficult to ensure to the volun- teers and other new citizens a certain and convenient transpor- tation of their letters. You will be pleased to give public notice that you will here- after transmit all letters directed to Texas if the same are sent to you post-paid. And if convenient you will make arrangements to that end with your post office. (Signed) Sam Houston, President By John Ricord 2 Private Secretary. 1 Exec1ttive Letter Book No. 1, 127, Texas State Library. 2 lnformation now available concerning John Ricord makes one of the most unique stories in early Texas history, for this man was a veritable soldier of fortune. He was born in Bellville, New Jersey, and was educated in law in the best schools of New York. He arrived in Texas in the fall of 1833, but there is no certain information concerning his employment before the Texas Revolution broke out in 1835. Throughout the Texas Revolution he was active and held several small Government positions. During the ad inte1·iui government he served as David G. Burnet's private secretary, and was retained in that position when Houston came to the Presidency. On December 19, 1836, Houston appointed him District Attor- r.ey for the Fourth Judicial District (the San Antonio district). In addi- tion to thi!.' position, it seems that, because of his knowledge and efficiency in clerical affairs, he was employed in several other positions. He was chief clerk of the State Department for a short time, for on December 22, 1836, he wrote to Houston to notify him that the bill to establish a General Land Office had been passed over the President's veto, and signed himself "Chief Clerk of the State Department" (see La.nd Office Pctpers, Texas State Library). On December 5, 1837, Joseph Baker and W. H. Patton wrote to Houston, saying that they had learned that John Ricord had left his office (Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District) vacant, and they recommended Cornelius Van Ness for the place. The next trace to be found of John Ricord in Texas records is on December 19, 1859, a docu- ment in which the Commissioner of the General Land Office is instructed to issue to Ricord "a certificate for one-th-ird league of land" (see Gammel, Laws of Texas, V, 47). The committee appointed to investigate the peti- tion of John Ricord for relief, reported, that "he had arrived in Texas before the Declaration of Independence, had rendered valuable service dur- ing her struggles, and had never been paid for it, also that he had never received headright land that was due him, therefore, they recommended the passage of the bill (see Sennte Journal, Eighth Legislature, 73). Again on February 13, 1860, Governor Houston approved "an Act for the relief cf John Ricord," in which the Treasurer was ordered to pay to said Ricord the sum of $1,325.16, which sum was due him as salary for service as Acting Secretary of State for the late Republic from December 25, 1836, till the 13th day of June, 1837, and for salary _as District Attorney of ·the Fourth Judicial District for the years 1837 and 1838 (see Gammel, Laws of Texas, V, 285). After a long debate this bill finally failed. Sub- sequent findings of Ricord's life by research workers at the University of
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