167
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1855
as that of our friend Burke, 2 but I must go on. Under like cir- cumstances General Jackson would have done so. To be honest and fear not is the right path. I would not conceal an [one] honest opinion for the Presidency. If I were, I could not enjoy the office, and worse than that, I should blame myself. I know well it is a risk, but it is for the harmony of the Union, if perchance I may benefit it. Thy Friend Truly, Sam Houston. 1 0riginal in the collection of Mr. W. A. Philpott, Dallas, Texas. Photo- stat in The University of Texas Library. There is no way to determine positively to whom this letter was written. The tone and substance leads thls annotator to believe that "Dear General" was Thomas J. Rusk. The letter is cryptic, and its meaning can only be guessed, unless one had fur- ther information. It is probable that Rusk was warning Houston that his increasing advocacy of the American Party (Know Nothingism) would perhaps prove disastrous to his ambitions for the Presidency. 2 Burke was pi-obably either James Burke, or Andrew J. Burke, both busi- ness men of Houston, Texas, and both warm friends of Houston and of Rusk.
To GIDEON GRANGER 1
New York, Feby 20th 1855
Mr. Gideon Granger, Canasidagan[ ?] Dear Sir Your note of the 17th Inst I have just received. I thank you for the invitation but [it] is impossible for me to accept. Truly thine Sam Houston [Rubric] 1 Howard Collection, Dallas Historical Society.
EXTRACTS FROM A SPEECH ON SLAVERY, TREMONT TEMPLE, BOSTON 1
February 22, 1855 I was born in the South, but I was taught to know the North ere manhood had brought me into active life. I had learned the interesting reminiscences of the revolutionary war, and I had known that there was but one brotherhood in the colonies, and but one people achieved the independence of America. As such, I am proud that I am an American, and I feel as one, presenting myself before this enlightened and accomplished auditory. Un- solicited, I am here-I may say undesired; because it devolves
Powered by FlippingBook