61
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1848
have been seen before. As for himself, he would not go in for carrying on a war to Puget's Sound for a visionary object. Monday, August 14, 1848 Mr. Houston was deeply impressed with the importance of this subject. Having acted upon this measure with the best inten- tions, he had this only to say, that though a majority, and a very small majority, had decided this question-and as a southern man he had placed himself not on sectional and abstract prin- ciples, but on principles, which here calculated to maintain the rights of this Union and of every portion of it-he trusted all opposition would cease. The majority, he repeated, was small, but it was a small ma- jority by which Texas was admitted into this Union; and if there was a majority, it was not for him to say how few or how many, but to submit. He contended that he was actuated by as high, as independent, and as patriotic motives as any gentleman in that body, be he from the South or from the North. On such occasions he knew neither North nor South; he knew only this Union, and he, though a Southern man, would protect the rights of the North, and not suffer them to be encroached upon, as ardently as he would protect and support the rights of the South. He believed on that floor he was a representative of the whole American people. He was the representative of the whole and every portion of it. On all occasions he would maintain that position, and he believed the people would sustain him in it, for they are true to the Union. 'Congressional Globe, Part I, 1st Sess., 30th Cong., 1847-1848, pp. 1075, 1085. ~Andrew Jackson, who supported Van Buren for the presidency in 1836.
To M. K. SNELL 1
$150 Huntsville, Oct. 31, 1848. At sight please pay to the order of Benjamin L. Wilson one hundred and fifty dollars and charge the same to a/c of Sam Houston. To M. K. Snell, Esq. Houston Endorsed by Benjamin L. 'Wilson. Houston, Nov. 15, 1848.
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