WRITINGS OF 5A.M HOUSTON, 1853
453
TO JAMES BUCHANAN 1
Huntsville, 1st July, 1853. My Dear Sir. It is the intention of Col. Thos. S. Lubbock to visit England relative to an estate in which himself and coheirs are interested. You will find him a gentleman, and I bespeak in his behalf your kind and characteristic civilities. If it should be in your power to advance the object of his visit you will confer an obligation upon a most worthy and respectable connexion. The nature of his business I do not know, but doubt not Col. Lubbock will cheerfully impart it to you! Allow me to add my sincere wishes for the success of your Mission, and that you may return to your native Land, with additional claims upon its admiration and gratitude. Sam Houston [Rubric] Hon. James Buchanan Minister &c &c &c London England. 1 From a photostatic copy furnishad by The Historical Society of Penn- sylvania. [July, 1853 ?] EXTRACT FROM A SPEECH AT NACOGDOCHES 1 [On a recent visit to Nacogdoches, General Houston delivered to the citizens of that country a lengthy speech, in which he declared himself a warm friend of the Pacific Railroad. The Chronicle says:] "He strongly urged the importance of the right kind of action on the part of the next Legislature of Texas, and demonstrated, to the satisfaction of all present, that the true policy of Texas is to concentrate all her energies upon the Great Pacific Railroad passing through the State East and West; and when that is built, the other necessary roads will follow as a natural con- sequence. He alluded to the fact that the cause of railroads had been greatly injured in this State by the inconsiderateness with which the Legislature has acted in granting charters. There are now upon our statute books, perhaps thirty or forty railroad charters granted to individuals and companies who could scarcely command means enough to pay for a respectable dinner. Such charters are hawked and peddled about the streets of New York by persons obtaining them, in the hope that they can sell their privileges for $5000, and then they do not care whether there is ever a railroad built in Texas.
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