WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1838
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your administration. With salutations of regard, I am very truly your friend, Sam Houston [Rubric] [Addressed] : To His Excellency M. Van Buren President of the U. States 1 Ra.guet Pape1·s, The University of Texas Library. :?Peter W. Grayson. See Appointment of Albert T. Burnley Loan Com- missioner, April 24, 1837.
To JOHN H. HousToNL
City of Houston 13 June 1838 My dear Houston I present to you my friend Capt. John G. Tod/ an officer of this Government ordered to the U. States. He is a Gentleman of great merit, and prime integrity. All that you have to do is to receive and treat him as my friend. You wont write to me, and why is it? I pray you to salute my excellent Cousin Gertrude, and my dear God daughter Mary. My love to the children, and write me a long letter. God make you happy in all future time. Ever thine Truly Sam Houston [Rubric] Jno. H. Houston Esq P. S. Old friends kindly remembered. Houston [Addressed]: T'o Jno H. Houston Esq-Washington City, U. States. Capt. J. G. Tod. 1 From the collection of W. A. Philpott, Jr., Dallas, Texas. :?John Grant Tod (the name is also spelled Todd) was born in Kentucky. At an early age he ran away from home and saw service in .the Mexican navy; subsequently, through the influence of Henry Clay, he was admitted into the United States navy with the same rank he had risen to in the Mexican service. He resigned this position in the United States navy in 1837 and went to Texas. In 1839 Lamar appointed him to supervise the construction of the ships under the Williams-Dawson contract that were designed for the Texas navy. He later received a commission as commandant of the Galveston navy yard. He was married to Abigail Fisher West, daughter of James M. West of Lewes, Delaware. They first settled in Harris County, Texas, but later removed their residence to Galveston, where John Grant Tod died in September, 1877. John Grant Tod, Jr., was Secre- tary of State under Governor Sayers, in 1901. See J. M. McArthur &
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