The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume V

354

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1852

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be corrupt. Let not the sin lie at our door any longer that they are starving and famishing by the connivance of this Govern- ment or its officers; but provide the means, and trust to Heaven, if not to the officers, for their application to the good design. 1 Congressional Globe, XXIII, Part III (1851-1852), pp. 2180-2181. 2 See Note No. 2, under Speech on Indian relations on the Texas frontier,

May 31, 1852, in this volume. 3 See Note No. 3, under Ibid.

AUGUST, 1852-DECEMBER, 1852

To GIDEON WELLEs 1

Washington, Aug. 15, 1852

My dear Sir:

I have the pleasure to receive your favor of the 13th inst. and for it you ·have my thanks. I commend your views in rela- tion to our international policy as most wise and truly prac- tical. It is a good rule to recur to first principles· and by way · of doing so, it seems to me a wise plan would be to ask what would General Jackson decide to be proper in any given case. In the present urgency, either you or I could judge what course he would adopt. My course has been, and ever will be to secure first the prosperity and happiness of the American peo- ple. In the meantime I will not fail to sympathize with any and every oppressed people and nation. What have we to do with Hungary more than with Poland, Ireland, or Rome? They are all equally objects of our sympathy. Write to me often and I will be gratified and instructed by the receipt of your communications. Commend me to Ned and our friends. Truly thine, Sam Houston [Rubric] To Gideon Welles, Esq,. Hartford Conn. 1The Houston Press, December 28, 1939. Gideon Welles (July 1, 1802- February 11, 1878) served as Secretary of the Navy during the administra- tions of Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, 1861-1869. For a rather full biography of Gideon Welles, sec Dictiona?"1J of America1t Biogra7>hy, XIX, 629-632. To SAM HOUSTON, JR. 1 Washington, 16th August, 1852 My Dear Son. I am alone, and when that is the case, my mind is always wandering to my home, and with my Dear family. As

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