WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
382
You have abused and abhor General Rusk. You are unmeas- ured in your malignity against Gen. Houston. You assail him, on every occasion; and charge him with the very vices, which you know are the mo~t odious; and to which you have been so long and constantly habituated. If you have not charged him with stealing, it is because circumstances have rendered that to you a subject of more than ordinary delicacy!!! It is reported that the celebrated challenge sent to Houston, last session of Congress, by the President of the Bible Society of Texas, was elicited by some remarks made by General Houston, in a speech which was improperly applied by you, Davy G. Burnet, to yourself, though no accusation was against you, nor was your name used, in con- nexion with the subject matter of the cause of the challenge. "The galled jade will wince." Previous to the Revolution, if history can be relied upon, there was a meeting of the citizens in the neighborhood of Lynchburg, where various resolutions were adopted, of a nature not very complimentary to Santa Anna's policy, and as you were chairman of the meeting and signed the proceedings, Col. D. B. McComb, and yourself were thence sent to Brazoria, to have them pub- lished, you learned that inquiries, from Santa Anna had been made respecting some persons in Texas who would be suitable for a "Political and Military Chief" of _the country, and that your name had been mentioned. From this moment the proceed- ings were suppressed, and not published. Was this all? No. On your way back, you were at a meeting at Columbia, and when asked, for the resolutions of the 'meeting, you would not let them out of your hands; but agreed to read them. Now, are these things not true? They are, Davy G. Burnet; and Mr. William H. Jack and others who were present at the meeting at Columbia, can and will attest to them. Did this not look like " Centralism," and that the bait had been swallowed? But, Davy, how was it when you came back to your constituents - and what excuse did you render to them? " The printer would not print them, unless he was paid the cash beforehand." The people at Lynchburg could not be gulled in this way, and were about to lynch or hang you, for what they deemed treason, on your part, towards them. Some reflecting men interposed, and saved you or you would have been elevated above the heads of your fellow citizens. But this is not the only instance in which pity and contempt has saved the delinquent from merited punishment. Did you expect those
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