WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1831-1836
26
HOUSTON TO Enw ARD HALL 1 Republic of Texas, Columbia, 3d. November, 1836
Edward Hall/ Esq: Dear Sir,- It gives me pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th ult., in which you do me the honor to approve the confidence extended to me by the people of Texas. It will, indeed, be sufficient cause for congratulations if those weighty responsibilities which my fellow-citizens have devolved upon me be ultimately discharged for the general good without selfishness and without favoritism, for these are too frequently the avenues to preferment and to the prerogatives incident to so high a station. For Texas a wise and prudent administration in the commence- ment of her national existence will be universally expected, im- posing upon me the difficult and delicate task of setting in com- plete and successful operation a political body based upon prin- ciples so hazardously asserted and so gloriously maintained. Of me the world at large will, doubtless, expec~ even more than my poor abilities can accomplish, while the friends of liberty and human rights in our common country will look with fraternal solicitude to the guardian of our dear-bought privileges. It will therefore, become the duty of my friends and the friends of Texas to lend renewedly a helping and sustaining hand in the cause we have thus warmly espoused. The constitutional government is at last fairly established, and I have named as my coadjutors in its management the Hon. Stephen F. Austin, Secretary of State; Henry Smith, Secretary of Treasury; Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of War; S. Rhoads Fisher, Secretary of the Navy; and James Collinsworth,- Attorney General. These are all gentlemen to whom the several trusts will be well confided, and thus, I hope in the multitude of good counsellors to be well fortified with those qualities indispensable to a wise government- prudence, economy, decision, and strength. I have seen and conversed with Mr. Bryan, who is still at this place, and rapidly regaining his health. His accounts have passed the Auditor's office, and, I believe, satisfactorily to him. The government will soon be able to adopt some ~eans to liquidate and finally settle his claims. It will give me great pleasure at all times to hear from you, and when the cares and almost incessant labors of my station
Powered by FlippingBook