237
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
noble & generous Boy, and makes his Pa and Ma, & sisters very happy, and they all love Buck a great deal! Boys should always be kind, and generous to their Sisters. No man is either good or great, who is unkind to women! Then how much more kind ought we to be to our own kindred and blood. I am sure my son, that you will study, to be good, & Great, also. But you will early learn, (if you are spared) that no man can be grecit, who is not good! If you my son, do not understand what I mean, I am sure your Dear Ma will explain it to you with great -pleasure. You should try, and do everything in your power to make your friends happy, and the greatest of all earthly friends is the Mother to her son, while she lives. The Father may be a great friend to the Son, but he can never know and feel the cares of a Mother for her sleeping infant, or her helpless child. Should you live to be a man (and my prayers to God are that you may live to be a good man) you will then understand, how much a son owes to his Parents, and particularly to his Mother! I may love you as much as your Ma does, but I cannot feel for you as she has done! Therefore, you ought, whenever you are about to do anything when out of her sight, to reflect and say to yourself, "If my Ma knew this would she wish me to do it?" Do this and you will be good! Now, my son, give the kisses. Truly thy Father, Sam Houston. Sam Houston, Jr. [P. S. written across margin of first page]: Tell Nannie and Maggie that the Swans, and fish and such things must be forth- coming! 1 The original letter is in the New York Public Library; there is a photo- static copy in The University of Texas Library.
To P.H. BELL1 -
Washington, 26th Aug. 1850. Dear Sir, R. W. Latham, Esq., has shown me a paper of rec- ommendation to you. I am acquainted with the Gentlemen who have signed the same, and know them to be either Senators, or Representatives in Congress, or men of highest respectability in the City. I have had business with Mr. Latham to transact as a Banker, and believe him one of the most capable men that I have ever
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