WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1852
349
:!One of the letters to which Houston refers is in the New York Public Library, and is as follows: June, 17, 1852. Dear pa mamma has just read me what she wrote about me and I will try to be a better boy. My little mocking bird which I told you about is dead my pony is doing well. God bless you Your affectionate son Sam Houston, Jr. To PETER FoRcE 1 Washington, 23 July, 1852 My dear Sir If it is not asking too much of you, will you please to inform me where I can obtain the most important items of ·information, in relation to La Fitte, the Pirate, who fre- quented Galveston Island in Texas? A friend has written to me on this subject, and I appeal to you, as the best informed Gen- tleman that I know! So I hope you will excuse me for troubling you. Thy Friend Truly Sam Houston Peter Force,:! Esq. 1 From the original in Hardin-Simmons University Library, Abilene, Texas, courtesy of Professor Rupert N. Richardson. ~Peter Force (November 26, 1790-1868), archivist and historian. See Dictionm-y of Amc1·ican Biogra7,hy, VI, 512-513. ON THE APPROPRIATION FOR INDIANS IN CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 11, 1852 1 It is with a great deal of reluctance that I would consume one moment of the precious time of the Senate. I regard the dispatch of business as important to the general interests of the country, as well as to the particular condition of the legislative business. I have therefore, abstained, throughout the session, from occupy- ing any portion of the precious time of this body; but I think that a principle is here invoked, to some extent, in consequence of which it will not be amiss for me to advert to some facts which have transpired, and to anticipate some of the probable conse- quences of this amendment. If it is necessary that the Indians should be supplied with provisions, there is no doubt that they have been reduced to that necessity by the conduct of this Gov- ernment, or its officers. They are removed from their accustomed means of subsistence; they are taken away from their hunting grounds. They had another resource; they had the mines in the mountains from which they could supply their necessities;
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