WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1851
283
~see Houston's lecture on "Trials and Dangers of Frontier Life," this volume, January 28, 1851. 3 The "Mr. Lester" mentioned here is probably C. Edwards Lester, author of the four books on Sam Houston's life (see Volume I, 9-10). Fo1· three or four times in Sam Houston's life, there were fair prospects of his becoming a candidate for the presidency of the United States, and at least twice C. Edwards Lester was a sort of "press agent" in his interest. That this is true for 1851-1852, is made very clear by a letter from Lester to Hous- ton in Mrs. Margaret John's Collection of Houston Mate1·ials (see photo- stats of these papers in The University of Texas Library, or in Texas State Library). In this letter, dated October 18, 1851, Lester chides Hous- ton for not giving his campaign prospects more time and interest, and says: "I have been contemplating pretty carefully the state of things through- out the country, in both political parties, and I am perfectly persuaded from present appearances, that in the convention, the nomination will be between you and Douglas . . . it is necessary for you to shew yourself throughout the United States, in order that you may come personally into intercourse with some hundreds of thousands of men.... Your friends are all anxious for you to travel through the country and they wonder why you do not do it ... they seem to think you are more insensible on the subject than they themselves." Lester ends with, "I feel jealous of your fame, and hope to see the object I have had so near by heart for many years speedily accomplished."
TO MRS. JAMES R. JONES 1
'Washington, 11th Feby. 1851.
SENATE Dear Lady By the request of Miss Susan S. Howard, I am induced to address to you this letter. I learn that the Ladies of the Episcopal Church desired that I should lecture in Harrisburg for the interest of the congregation; at some convenient time. I have anticipated a visit to that place on the 22nd inst. If it is the desire of the Ladies, and they believe that my imperfect abilities will promote any valuable purpose, I will be happy to comply with their wishes. I will allow the Ladies to determine at what time, and place, on the 22nd they may wish me to speak. I will thank the Ladies, to suggest the subject of the Lecture, and to apprize me of their decision! This letter is hastily written, and I request, that it may not be published! Sam Houston Mrs. James R. Jones, Bucklem Hotel, Harrisburg, Tennessee. 1 0riginal letter in possession of Theosophical University, Point Loma, California. A photostatic copy is in The University of Texas Library.
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