WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1827
71
and Colo G1·ay, and obtain their statement in writing- of what the Sec of the Navy [Samuel L. Southard of New Jersey] should have said at the Public dinner given him at Fredericksburg, va, relative to my leaving the army without leave or orders etc. etc. and communicate a copy to me and retain the original yourself. So soon as this is done present my note to the Sec and transmit me his reply.... Present me to Mr John Randolph and all my friends in the senate. If you find it convenient, you may suggest a desire I have of obtaining a good filly got by Sir Archey . . . that he can sell for $300 or under that sum, say a two or three year old...." See Bassett, Correspondence of Andrew Jackson, III, 319. 3 Dr. John Shelby of Sumner County, Tennessee, was a much older man than Houston, but was his intimate friend and physician. It was Dr. Shelby who stayed constantly by Houston's side during the first days of the separa- tion between him and Eliza Allen, and as a friend to both tried to clear away their difficulties. See James Phelan, History of Trnnessee, 297; also Jos. C. Guild, Old Ti-mes in Tennessee, 264-269. 4John McKinley. See Houston to Andrew Jackson, January 19, 1823. GJohn Floyd. See Houston to Andrew Jackson, January 13, 1827.
To ANDREW JACKSON 1
Washington, 13th Jany 1827. Dear General, Not long silice I was in conversation with a Gentleman, when he stated to me that he ·had in his possession an original letter from Mr. Monroe, to the Secretary of War, 2 dated Sept. 1819, and went on to state the contents of the same, but did not, as well as I recollect, state to me by what means it came to him,- The envelope, I recollect he stated was lost before it was put into his hands- I made him pledge himself, that he wou'd send me a copy, on his return home; which is some dis- tance from this place. He has complied, and you will find the Copy herewith inclosed. The original he has pledged himself to place in your own hands, or to furnish it to me, for that purpose. Comments from me on the subject of this letter would be ridicul- ous, when offerd to you, who felt and acted on that occasion. But I felt it to be my sacred duty, to obtain for you a knowledge of the facts: so far as it has been in my power- No part of the letter was Italicised, but I will mark in that way such sentences, as struck me with peculiar force. . You may rest assured from the nature of this affair, that it will be kept profoundly secret. The circumstances under which it came to me; are such as will not warrant the use of [it] in any other way, than at present to advertise you of the fact:- when the original is presented to you; you will then be able to pursue the course dictated by the fitness of the circumstances; and the
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