WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
451
that Rusk & myself were to get nothing, nor to be consulted about any thing. They (the cabinet for we have no President) hesitated about complying with out recommendations for our local officers. Not an auditor, or permanent clerk at Washington, could we get appointed, out of the many hundreds in office! I did too much for Pierce, and he is jealous of me. If God wills, I will make him more so I Ah ! Miller, a mint for one days talk with you ! The wish and effort will be to crush me between, Disunionists & Freetraders. Well, let him try the game. I am for the "old time, Jackson Democracy." It has no chance now, you may rely on it. The war will begin at the commencement of next session, if I live. Rusk is not in a good humour. Mr. Hunter.of the Calhoun School is, in my opinion, the Power behind the Throne! I thought when Pierce sent for Hunter to form his Cabinet, that the Dog was dead! The Democrats will be torn to pieces, or the whigs will come up again. I have not known a weak man to come into place, by a large majority, but what he disgraced himself or ruined the party. See Lamar as a recent instance. Now I will not be surprised to see Lamar come into favor, and get a good appointment from Pierce. It would not be worse, than the appointment of Gadsden to Mexico ! 0 That I look on as a personal affront to myself, if he did not act ignorantly, for what I deem probable, as he has shown a total ignorance, of men, or a disregard for principles! I will cease this strain, as I do not wish to· vex, or discourage you. In view of our observation of the way things went on, and on consultation, neither your name, nor that of Mr. Gray was mentioned to Mr. P. All things are done by a regular vote in the Cabinet, as in the days of Genl Taylor, & when he is asked for any ap- pointment his reply is, "If I can, I will serve you," which shows that he is not his own man, or is not fit for President! · Write to me when ever you can, and have my money from Ward if possible. Mrs. H. & Sam join in best regards to your Sister & Family, and in wishing you every blessing, with a good wife to crown all your joys. Sam has commenced Latin & bids fair to be a scholar! Nannie, now nearly seven years old, has also commenced Latin. She has a great passion for learning, and a remarkable genius! You may say, the children have a right to make up for their Fathers omissions, for he never persecuted authors, by interfering with their works, and the adage of the Fathers eating sour grapes to put the childrens teeth on edge does not apply to my children.
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