WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1857
435
many, so bright are the joys to my fancy acumen that I can scarcely contain myself. You have around you many of the pleasures which I so much desire. I can fancy you in the enjoy- ment of health, and all our children, ruddy and noisy, with their thousand antics and childish pleasures. Sam with his mannish conceits. Nannie with determination to do all that will with genius can accomplish. Miss Maggie with her quiet brooding mischief. Mary Willie with her sparkling temper. Antoinette relying on the truth of her conclusions and the justice of her perceptions. Andrew doubting nothing in achievements, and be- lieving that which he cannot accomplish he ought to do by some means. And you, my Dear, a kind Mother looking on each one as a nonpareil and and half vexed for fear I will not say as much as you wish in their bountiful behalf, if I live to return. Sam I do not exactly class with the others, as they consider "brother Sam" in the light of an oracle! I hope if spared to find then all that a fond Father can wish them to be and their Dear Mother happy. Bro. Samson has left with me two sermons which I had the pleasure to hear him preach, or rather, two copies of one sermon. One I send you with this note. The things mentioned in the note I will try to convey to you. Thy Devoted Houston. Margaret. 1 Houston Letters, The University of Texas Library. 2 For Hamilton Stuart, see Houston to Hamilton Stuart, December 21, 1846, Volume IV. p. 441. ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ACCEPTING AS A DONATION THE HOME OF ANDREW JACKSON, MARCH 2, 1857 1 It seems to me that the first consideration which presents itself on this question is, has the Government any use for this donation? Is it politic to accept it? Is there any object in doing it? If there is, it will then be proper for the Senate to consider the question. I deem it one of the most important propositions that has ever been presented to this body. I think no one involving more weighty considerations could be brought forward than the attempt to accept this donation for the purpose contemplated by the Legislature of Tennessee. If it be accepted by the GoYern- ment of the United States, there will be an implied obligation to
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