4.50
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
he spent of his own money-more than $100,000 in the interest of Texas. Again and again he petitioned Congress for relief (Sec Memorials and Petitions, Texas State Library.), but, on account of an impoverished treasury it was always impossible for the Republic to pay the debt. After Texas was annexed to the United States, his claims were finally settled in 1846. (See James B. Shaw's statement, November 3, 1846, in Comptroller's Accounts and Vouchers of Bryan and Foley, Texas State Library.)
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To WILLIAM KENNEDY 1
City of Austin, Texas, 28 Jany, 1842 My Dear Sir, Before your departure from this place, I must be permitted to make a request of you. Should you find it within your control, you will much oblige me by informing the British Government of the particulars touch- ing the delay, and subsequent ratification of the Treaty on the subject of the "Slave Trade"'.! by this Government. For the consummation of this business, I cannot but feel that the Executive is under many obligations to you for the lights afforded him upon this subject by yourself. Owing to the repre- sentations of our agent at London, had you not been here, I am inclined to believe, or rather I am satisfied, that it would not have been ratified at the present session of Congress. In making this request of you, I claim the right of an apology, on the ground that our agent at London, Gen. Hamilton, has been recalled under a resolution of Congress. And with a perfect knowledge of our situation you will not suppose that an agent, such as would be desirable for us, wi11 be sent to England, owing to the condition in our finances. Should I not have the pleasure of meeting you again, previous to your departure for England, I will anticipate the happiness of again meeting you in Texas; as I sincerely hope Her Majesty's Government may think proper to send you to Texas in some re- lation which may be agreeable to you, as your return will be to the people, and particularly to your very sincere friend Sam Houston To the Hon. Wm. Kennedy. 3 1E. D. Adams (ed)., Brit1"sh Co1·rcspondence Conc.er·ning Texcis, 1888-1846, 67. ZThe original engrossed copy for Texas of this treaty is in the archives of the Texas State Library. 3William Kennedy, author and diplomat, was born near Paisley, Scotland, December 28, 1799, and died near London in 1849. Before he was twenty-
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