WRITINGS OF SAM HousToN; 1857
447
To A. P. W1LEY 1
Huntsville, July 6, 1857 Sir: I was somewhat surprised that you should address the note which I have just received from you, and that you should propose to meet me at different points to discuss the issues in the present canvass in a courteous manner. The epithets which you have been pleased to apply to me of which I am fully apprised, and your habitual coarseness of expression relative to myself, such as calling me a "traitor," precludes all courtesy of respect on my part. You are welcome, if the people choose to listen to you when I have addressed them, to say anything you please in my absence, provided you have a written deputation from Mr. Runnels, the candidate of the Waco Convention, and he will endorse the dis- union principles you have heretofore avowed, since you came to this place. Farther I need not express myself. Sam Houston. A. P. Wiley, Esq. 1 WMhington American (Washington, Texas), July 14, 1857. Houston's Jetter was in reply to one from A. P. Wiley, July 6, 1857, proposing a joint discussion of campaign issues at several places where Houston had speaking dates.
To AsHBEL SMITH 1
Huntsville, 22nd Aug. 1857 My Dear Smith, The fuss is over, and the sun yet shines as ever. What next? Will the spoils be equal to the wants of the spoil seekers? I fear not. Will the late victory be equivalent to the State, & the country, for the murder of Genl. Rusk? I should say not. There are matters of vast import now on hand, and I would like· to see you in relation to them. While I am a proscrib~d man, I do not like to place my thoughts on paper, as I have no confidence in Post Masters, or I may say the mails. In the result of the election I am cheered, and were it not for my friends, I assure you, I wou'd rejoice at the result, if I am spared to take.my seat in the Senate. I will, as the Frenchman said, "Have some fish to fry." Had I been elected, I would have had "other fish to fry." Is there any way in which we can contrive a pow-wow, that we may unite in trying to draw the veil partially aside, and take
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