189
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1838
mounted. This Department has no way to know these facts. Certificates generally state that A. or B. have served in the Ranging Corps under my Command from-to-as no returns of Muster Rolls have been made to this department, he cannot know who was mounted and who was not. I have hitherto paid those Rangers under the Command of Majr. R. M. Williamson $1.25 per day; those not otherwise provided for $25 per month. Those raised to protect the frontier to consist of Two hundred and Eighty men, $23 per month, the officers of the latter as Cavalry with $15 per month in addition for furnishing their own Horses and Arms. "I am called upon to deliver the pay to Administrators. I have refused to do so untill to-day in order that I can have your written instructions on that subject. "All of which is respectfully submitted by your Obedient Servant." J. W. Moody, Auditor." [See A11ditor's Pa.pers, Texas State Libra1·y.] FEBRUARY, 1838 To ANNA RAGUETl City of Houston, 1st Feby, 1838. Miss Anna: This does not look much like eating my last Christmas dinner in Good Old Nacogdoches. Misery is the lot of man, and miserably do I realize it. Hope has induced me from time to time to set a period at which I was to start with my dear friend, Irion, and others for our home and pass some months. It has not been in our power to start, and at this time the roads are most terrible and impassable in this section of the country. The accumulation of business in all the Departments of Gov- ernment demand of me perpetual attention. Our foreign rela- tions at this time demand constant attention, and to this subject Doct. Irion's and my attention and care are necessary. Dispatches have recently arrived from Gen'l Henderson/ at the court of St James, and by them we learn that matters wear an aspect as favorable as cou'd have been anticipated, so much so in favor of Texas that Mr. Stevenson, Minister to the U. States, was surprised at the reception our agent met with by Lord Palmerston. From the U. S. we have no recent intelligence. l\Ir. La Branche 3 has made another protest against the surveys on the Red River, a matter which Congress has taken out of my hands, and for which alone it is responsible. For the purpose of laying that subject at rest, I called one Congress, and miserably was the business disposed of. At this time, so far as I can learn, our borders are at peace, but we are unable to learn what Mexico is about to do. vVe
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