41
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
interested in land speculations on a large scale, and in 1834-1835 was associated with Samuel M. Williams in the purchase of 120 leagues of land;. In the early 1840's-about 1842-he bought 2,000 acres o:f land in Leon County near the site of the present town of Leona, built a large and com- fortable rock house and became famed throughout central Texas for his hospitality. He was living at this central Texas home at the time of his death. See The Q1uirte1·ly, Texas State H:storical Association, IV, 211-212, also X, 82-84; William C. Binkley, Official Cor1·esvondence of the Texm_t Revolution, I, 551, II, 657. ·
To THOMAS ToBY 1
Private
Columbia, Texas, 27th Jany 1837 : Dear Sir, Your favor reached me on yesterday and I thank you for the enclosures. The news from Matamoras, leaves me still in a state of incertitude as to the movements of Mexico, as every thing must depend on her capabilities to do us injury. I have read General Jackson's Message,2 and think it is politic, but not unfavorable. I have.not read Mr. Morfit's 3 report but ani told it is favorable. How the U. States can get over our recogni- tion, I can not conceive. None of the S. American States eve:r had higher claims, and surely Mexico, to the present moment has not fairer claims to recognition. Spain up to the present moment has not been willing to recognize her Independence. When Santa Anna wou'd arrive at the City of Washington, and the whole matter was presented to that Government, I do hope that justice wou'd be done to our cause. [ This sentence is as in the original·] I cannot divine what will be the result of the release of Santa Anna in Mexico, but I wou'd suppose that it must have much influence on the state of Parties. We must be up and doing, to the last moment! I am told that Commodore Hawkins· 1 is in New Orleans,-for the holy name of God, despatch him, and let him come to our Coast. Tell him not to waste one moment and if he can not come, place the vessel in the command of Captain Wheelwright,: 1 and let him sail directly for our ports. Write to Brown, 0 & Hurd 1 t<;> come with all possible despatch, and do, my dear Sir, so far as you [can] aid us in the present crisis. Come what may, prepara- tion can do no harm, and you may rest assured that Texas, has every disposition [to] aid those \\•ho aid her. You will perceive~ thus far there has been no remissness on the part of the Govern- ment. ,
Powered by FlippingBook