WRITINGS OF Su·I HOUSTON, 18ilQ
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to be honest, wise, and patriotic; to execute the laws, and walk within the path of the Constitution. Let this be done, and every good citizen will with confidence sustain public agents in the discharge of their duties. I tender you, gentlemen, and those whom you represent, my grateful regards. Sam Houston 1 A1tstin City Gazette, October 7, 1840. Brazos C0Hr-ie1· (Brazoria), October 20, 1840. 2 If Houston spoke on September 3, as he promised in this letter, no account of the speech has been found in any of the newspapers available. Many references have been found to speeches promised, and even of speeches made, for which no text has been found. In a number of such cases, a news- paper has expressed regret that no complete report of the speech was available; in other cases, a certain speech has been severely criticised, or otherwise commented upon, for which no text has been found other than the excerpts-generally quoted to suit the editor's purposes-made by the editor of the paper. To MRs. HousTONl San Augustine, 23rd Sept. 1840 My dear Margaret: This morning I sent you a letter and with the hope that I may be able to send this by private con- veyance, I have commenced writing it. It is not that I expect to interest you much, for I have little news, but my Love, I am so unhappy while separated from you that I feel myself most happy when writing to you.- 'Tis the hope only that you may derive some felicity from the fact, that you will be assured that yo·u are always present to my thoughts, and remain supreme in my affections. The world to me would be a sorry world were it not that I am willing and even happy to endure it on your ac- count. Every hour that we are apart, only resolves me more firmly not again to be separated from you. If I can so arrange my matters that you will be happy and enjoy existence rationally I will then be the most happy of men. Until that can be the fact, I must be miserable. I will use every exertion in my power to its consummation. The Reverend W. Penland, who married my niece,2 has written me a long letter and himself and lady sent ·you much love and many felicitations. In his letter he mentions the death of my brother-in-law, W. Wallace. My sister Mary is left in very com- fortable circumstances, and the family are all well. Houston and my niece Isabella are at school in Knoxville, and very promis- ing. The connections are all very anxious for us to visit them;
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