The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume VI

29

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854

there would be no celebration at New Hope, on the 4th of July, I have accepted an invitation to be at Reading on that day. 2 I hope to see you soon. Truly thy Friend Sam Houston [Rubric] Hon. Lewis S. Coryell, New Hope Penni). 1 From a photostatic copy furnished by The Historical Society of Penn- sylvania. 2 The speech made at Reading, Pennsylvania, has not been found. REMARKS CONCERNING E.W. MOORE, JULY 12, 1854 1 I perceive that this morning two pamphlets have been laid upon the desks of the Senators. [Mr. Hamlin. I believe my motion is pending.] I will occupy but a moment. I am not going to make a speech. Two pamphlets have been laid upon my desk, and I presume that they have been laid upon the desks of other Senators. One of them is a letter addressed to myself, as a Senator from Texas. It appears to be signed by Mr. E. W. Moore. I will not go into a review of the pamphlet, or either of them at this time; but that one single fact may be understood, as it is of very recent occur- rence, I will read it. I see he says, in reference to the power of attorney which he drew up for Mrs. Nancy Wilbur from the treasury of Texas: "I have never received one cent of the money due to the Widow of D. C. Wilbur. The first power of attorney was informal; on presenting the second note, the auditor wrote me the following: "'Raymond (the treasurer) thinks the power of attorney from Mrs. Wilbur will be sufficient to draw her husband's pay, if you will accompany it with the power that she is the widow of Wilbur. Yours truly, John M. Swisher.'" This, sir, was done to avert the calamity to her, and to prevent her being swindled out of the money. In the year 1848 she gave a power of attorney to E. W. Moore, upon which, on the 2d. day of May, 1851, he drew a certificate for $684.93. That was three years ago. She applied to him in person for the certificate, as she represents to me. She wrote to him twice. In 1852, after receiving this certificate, he wrote for a second power of attor- ney; and whether presented or not, he drew the certificate under the first power of attorney. She has recently been here, yet he has held or retained that certificate to which she was entitled,

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