WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1850
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represent them, while almost all the talent of the House has been employed in advancing the interests of New Mexico. 1 Cong1·cssional Globe, XXII, Part 2, pp. 1934-1948.
To SAM HousToN, JR. 1
Washington, Sept. 23rd, 1850. My Dear Son. I have written so many letters to your Dear Ma, of late, that I am sure, she will be glad that, I should now write to you again. I suppose you go to the office for the mails, and you will be happy, now & then, to get a letter for yourself. You can tell others how much your Pa loves you, and that he advises you to be a good son, and love your Grand Ma, & your own Ma, and little sisters-to be obedient, to their wishes, and to try, and make them happy! And my Dear Boy, this is not all. You should be kind to all persons, and even to dumb animals, and you will find, that they will love you in return. Bad men, and bad women, are the only beings that will not return good for good & kindness, for kindness. You will not like to be com- pared to bad people, who only love themselves, & wish to see, other people unhappy. Bad or wicked people cannot be happy, and they wish to see others unhappy, that they may be like them. The wicked are bad, because they are the children of the Devil, and not children of light. Sin is compared to darkness, because in darkness we can see no pleasant thing, and goodness is com- pared to light, because we can see, and enjoy all good things. Heaven is light, & joy; God made light, and His throne is in light. He made darkness also, but it was for the wicked. Th~ good will enjoy light, while the wicked, must remain in darkness. Learn, my Son, to be good. You are a blessed Boy, because while you are young, you have a kind Mother to teach you to be good, and pray with you, and for you! Learn to be good while you are young, and if you live to be old you will be happy. My Son, I have the fish, and the ship-with the Balls &c. I hope you will kiss your Grand Ma, Ma, & Sisters, and tell the servants howda for me. Thy Father Sam Houston. Sam Houston, Jr. [P. S. across margin of the first page.] The first time you see Mr. & Mrs. Birdwell, and Doct. Evans & Lady, you must give them my regards. 1 The original letter is in the New York Public Library; The University of Texas Library has a photostatic copy.
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