303
WRITINGS OF Sur HousToN, 1851
of August, it is my intention to go up as high as Dallas on the Trinity. Come and see us, and if you have any time to take a trip, up the Trinity so much the better, after you have spent some time with me at home! I cannot promise to take any liquo1·, on the road, but I will try to supply a full share, of "good spirits," for the trip! Burke, my Dear Friend, for years past, I have been a whole souled teetoteller, and so intend to be as long as I live. It suits me!!! Politics are quite ripe here, but I take no part in them! We have been to Houston, and Galveston, and our friends are very kind to us. I made two speeches on the trip & they were well received by the Sovereigns. I am anxious to get out of public life, and remain in quiet the residue of my days. Why, if now you were to see my pretty little flock of girls, you would be astonished. I have no less than three now and the youngest fifteen months old and weanecl already! Is this not ominous of something? They are, too, as pretty little fellows as you have ever seen whose parents are not more handsome than theirs ! They are not beautiful, but they are good models for those in our line of business! Sam is a tall, long, & homely lad, fairly smart in some things. I hope he will make a good man if not a great one. Please commend us to Mrs. Burke and family. Write to me forthwith and tell me when you will be here, and if you will wish to take a trip up the Trinity. Truly thy Friend Sam Houston [Rubric] [Addressed] : To Col. John R. Burke, Burkeville, Texas. Note-I seldom write so long a letter. Answered by mail, August 10, 1851 1 From the original in possession of Mrs. S. M. Prince, Chirino, Texas, a granddaughter of John R. Burke. John R. Burke was born in Virginia in 1796. His family moved first to Tennessee, thence to Texas in 1845. John R. Burke acquired large landed interests, consisting of farm and ranches. The town of Burkeville estab- lished on his land was named in his honor. He represented a district com- posed of Jasper, Newton, and Sabine Counties in the House of Represent- atives for the Fifth Legislature, November 7, 1853, to February 13, 185 1 1. \Vorth S. Ray, Southe1·n Histo1·ical Research Magazine, I, No. 5, p. 410.
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