The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume VI

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854

60

"A few days after it was published in the Galveston News. He never answered it, nor did any of his friends attempt to refute or deny the statements made in it, and my statements to the people of Texas. They could not be denied." I have never received a letter from Commodore Moore in my life, I believe; but yet the inference from this would be, that he, or some particular friend of his, had given this letter to me. He does not say who delivered it, nor anything about it, but goes on descriptively and says, "A few days afterwards, it was published in the Galveston Naws." I do not believe that, but I intend to follow it up and see if the letter is on record. I am satisfied that it never was, or my friends would have told me of it. I was on my way to the United States in 1845, and left Galveston some time in May, I think towards the latter end of the month, but I do not believe I was there on the 5th of May. I went on to Tennessee then, and did not return until the latter part of October following, so that I never had an opportunity of seeing this letter. But let us see the letter. Let us see what it says: "Galveston, May 5, 1845 "Sir: I herewith enclose a copy of a statement to the people of Texas of some of your sayings and doings in relation to myself while you were President of this Republic. "I would willingly adopt another course, and demand of you that redress which one gentleman has a right to expect from another who has abused, villified, and misrepresented him, as you have me on so many occasions, in public bar rooms, in the streets, and even in the presence of ladies, but for the well- known fact that you have refused to render satisfaction to General Lamar, Judge Burnett, and Doctor Archer, for gross and flagrant acts of injustice which you have done them. There is one other resort-that of chastising you publicly-which I would adopt, were it not well known that you had submitted to be thus disgraced by Colonel Jordan, in the town of Austin, while you were a member of Congress. "I would have adopted the course I do now immediately after the expiration of your term as President, had I been in the country; but I have been in the United States since October last; and my arrival here the day before yesterday as well as yours at the same time, affords me this opportunity of apprising you of my intention to show up your true character to the citizens of T'exas, as well as to the world, which I will continue

Powered by