WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1838
179
To CONDE RAGUET 1
City of Houston, Jan. 1838 Dear Sir, Presuming- on the many distinguished acts of kind- ness, which you have bestowed upon me, altho' I had not the pleasure to claim even a personal acquaintance with you, I beg leave to present to your personal consideration my particular friend, Doct. Ashbel" Smith, Surgeon General of the Texan Army. You will find that the merit of this Gentleman has preferred him to the station to which he does honor; I take leave, there- fore, to solicit in his behalf, your kind civilities, should he have it in his power to make any delay in your city. He is the bearer of despatches from this Government, to its Minister in Washing- ton. I take pleasure in saying that very recently, I had the pleasure to hear from Col. H. Raguet, and family, at Nacogdoches, and they are all enjoying fine health, and have, during the season escaped indisposition. Shou'd the enemy not advance, of which I have no fears, nor apprehensions, I shall afford myself the pleasure of seeing Col. Raguet & family at their residence. Sam Houston. [Addressed] : Conde Raguet Esqr Philadelphia Penn Dr. A. Smith 1 Ashbel Smith Papers, The University of Texas Library.- 2Conde (the name is also spelled Condy) Raguet (January 28, 1784- March 21, 1842), editor, economist, merchant, son of Paul Raguet, was born in Philadelphia. There were three elder Raguet brothers, James Michael, Paul, and Claudius-all French-Swiss by birth. The eldest, James Michael, had been a member of Napoleon's staff, who, upon the banishment of his chief to St. Helena, left France for America, accompanied by his two younger brothers. Claudius fell overboard and was drowned while on the voyage to America; the other brothers arrived in Virginia, but in a short time removed to Philadelphia. Paul Raguet, father of Conde, was killed while on an expedition against the Indians. His wife had died a short time before his death. Therefore, their only child was taken into his unt>le James's home and reared along with his cousins. Henry Raguet of Nacog- doches, Texas, and Conde Raguet of Philadelphia, were actually cousins, but always called each other brother, a fact that confuses biographers. Both of these men had been given the best education that Philndelph:a of their day could afford, and both were well-trained; but it was Condo Raguet who distinguished himself in the eyes of the world as nn editor, author, and economist. He died at his home in Philadelphia l\forch 21, 1842. See the Dictiomiry of American Biogmphy, XV, 325-326. Letters
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