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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184 7
12
13, 1846, he was elected probate judge of the same county. He died in ·Colorado County in 1874. See Austin's Apvlicatio11, Book [for his colony], Spanish Archives; also Muster Rolls, General Land Office of Texas; Com7>tl·oller's Military Service Records, Texas State Library; E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jowrnals of the Senate, Republic of Texas, 1836- 1845, pp. 258, 267; Dixon and Kemp, Heroes of San Jacinto, 397.
To ELIJAH F. PURDY 1
Raven Hill, Texas, June 3d, 1847. My Dear Sir:- On yesterday I received a copy of the "Eve- ning Mirror," published in New York on the first of April, which contains a letter purported to be written in New Orleans on the 23d of March last, which I condescend to notice, only because it contains a twofold blunder. It imputes to me an expres- sion of disrespect (which I never used) for an individual, whom I have long regarded as an approved soldier and a gentleman. The writer says "Sam Houston left here on yesterday, and well for him that he did. It will hardly be believed that this man while here, had the hardihood to say that our glorious Old Rough and Ready was not fit to command a Corporal's Guard." In the first instance the writer intimates that the state of feel- ing in the city of New Orleans, was such as to render my departure necessary for my safety. This is incredible. It was an insult to the citizens, who are notoriously well regulated and intelligent, to suggest that they would not allow the free expression of opinion by any individual, whether it might be in harmony or not with the general sentiment. Although the panderer to vitiated appetites, had every disposi- tion to slander me, he has taken care not to assert that I used such expressions, but says "It will hardly be believed, that this man while here, &c. &c." He intended that it should be believed, while he knew it was false and without any foundation. Fortunately for the refutation of such calumnies, I have not only appreciated the glorious achievements of Gen. Taylor and his gallant command, in the various successes of our arms, but I was among the first of the Senators, to accord to the General, his officers and soldiers, an expression of national gratitude and admiration for their noble and generous daring. My feelings in support of the war have not been questionable in their character. It is true, that I preferred, that the additional corps of ten thousand men, should be composed of volunteers instead of regulars. For this I rendered my reasons publicly, not
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