380
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
where then, was thy advocate? This was not all. After this the President refused to comply with the rules of the Society, and the consequence was it was dissolved by the members; who declared that if the President, David G. Burnet, did not comply with his written agreement, that they were not bound; and thus the cause of temperance received a vital wound from the hand of the "sober and honest," David G. Burnet. These are a few of the prominent facts touching the conduct, morality, and ex- emplary sobriety of Davy G. Burnet. Sir, you will not deny one word of what is here stated, unless you are as hardened in false- hood as you were when you belched forth your falsehoods over the signature of " Publius," against Gen. Houston. In my next notice which shall soon appear, I will endeavor to state some facts which shall go home to you, touching your Tory conduct, -nor can you have the effrontery to deny the charge. I will show that you had motives for wishing Santa Anna suc- cess in establishing a Central Government; and that your sincere wishes were for the destruction of liberty on the west side of the Sabine. This, Sir, is no idle threat; you who are so fond of accusing others, shall feel the lash and wither under the stings of guilt and conviction. The traitor's doom shall be awarded you; and the only question shall be were your treasons committed whilst you were "intoxicated" ? TRUTH 2 1 The Houstonian (Houston), August 16, 1841, photostat copy in The Uni- versity of Texas Library. Extracts from this letter appeared in the Colo- 1·ado Gazette and Advertiser, August 28, 1841. 2 See notes under Houston to Ashbel Smith, August 4, 1841.
THE SECOND LETTER IN REPLY TO "PUBLIUS" 1
Houston, August 18, 1841
To the Honorable David G. Burnet Sir-The last number in which I had the honor to call your distinguished attention to was intended to present to your view, a few of the traits of character, which are the main facts, going to establish your highest claims, to the reputation which you so strictly deserve, as a "moral and sober" functionary. It being well established that you have drank more Brandy than any other man in the Republic of Texas, at the people's expense, it will now be proper to see how the public was indebted to you
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