WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184-0
362
and many of them would forty. But we were told of the expense and the litigation that would be produced by the measure: he was not lawyer enough to hurt him for any thing else, but he would undertake to defend any gentleman from a troublesome law suit who should become a purchaser of this land. Our country had reached a fearful crisis-we were at the mercy of every shaver-and our money had gone down to nothing. It was high time for us to examine into the Ci'tse, and see what could be done for our relief. If this country ever belonged to the In- dians, it had become ours by conquest; and we had the right to sell it for the good of all-every principle of law, justice, and expediency, point to that course. Let members ponder well be- fore they give a vote that will stop the means of paying the national debt, for the sake of a few dishonest speculators, who have no claim in justice, and who have been instrumental in in- volving our country in ruin. He would say no more-less than [this] he could not have said, without great injustice to his coun- try, and particularly to those who had sent him there.-Sentinel. 1 The Jom"'lzal and Advertise,·, February 1, and 11, 1841. The Adve1·tiser seems to have taken this speech from the Texas Sentinel, but copies of that paper containing the speech have not been available for this collection. 2 For an account of the massacre of the Killough (correct spelling of the name) family, see J. W. Wilbarger, Inclian Devreclations in Texas, 620- 622. There were eighteen members of this family who were murdered by the Indians. 3Augustine Hotchkiss was a large land owner and speculator. He admin- istered many estates, especially of soldiers killed in the various battles of the Texas revolution, and made locations in the Cherokee territory, many of which he acquired in payment of fees for his services; consequently, he became one of the most violent opposers of the Indian claims. See Houston's Speech in the House of Representatives, December 22, 1839, for statements concerning this man. 4David G. Burnet wrote for the newspapers and other periodicals under the pen names of "Publius," or "Poor David" and sometimes as "Te."ian." See A 1tstin City Gazette, March 25, 1840; also, Harriet Smither (ed.), Tho Journals of the Fourth Congress oj the Republfo of Texas, II, 202.
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THE PRESENTATION OF A FEATHER TO MRS. GEORGE FLOOD 1
[ December 8, 1840]
Genl Houston, has the honor of presenting to her Ladyship Mrs. Col Flood,2 the enclosed feather,S as the most delicate and
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