305
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
facts of the case. As he alluded to it in his speech, and intro- duced the name of Captain Ritchie, I want to know what the fact is. I am uninformed in regard to the subject. I am told that the information will not be voluminous, and I wish to obtain it. The Senate, however, can use their own pleasure in regard to it. 1 Congressional Globe, Part 1, 1855-1856, pp. 809, 810. REPORT OF A SPEECH AT BALTIMORE, APRIL 7, 1856 1 The Sun thus alluded to General Houston's lecture, delivered on the night of the 7th inst: · The promised lecture of General Houston took place last night at the Hall of the Maryland Institute, to a respectable audience. His subject, as stated, was the "Danger to which this country is exposed from war, bigotry, and fanaticism." He was hard down against the increase of the army and navy-opposed to the naval and military academies, as they were the nurseries of favoritism, &c. In relation to fanaticism, he characterized the Abolitionists of the North, and the Disunionists of the South as coming under that head. He defended the institution of slavery in the South, and incidently spoke of slavery in Mexico, where the peons were worse off than slaves. The subject of Mexico being introduced, he referred to the condition of that country, and attributed it to the Catholic priesthood, who opposed education and the enlighten- ment of the masses. He conjured the rising generation to grow up with a love for the union of the states. He was frequently applauded throughout"the discourse. 1 The Washington American (Washington, Texas), April 80, 1856. The text of this lecture has not been found.
To MRs. HousToN 1
Senate Chamber, 18th April, 1856 My Dear This morning I had the pleasure to receive a letter from our son Sam, and was gratified to hear that your health was very good and "all well." He has heard from Tula & I suppose he is happy. I must write to him soon. Last night I went to a party at Speaker Banks, and saw "Uncle Tom's Cabin," alias Madam Beecher Stowe. She is certainly a hard subject to look on. I was at the Party an hour; ate an ice cream and left. It is the first and only Party I have been at this season, and I think it will be the last. I can tell you a secret: I bought for Miss Nannie a pretty little Locket, and had a pretty
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