. WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
136
what I go for, and any man before him that can be elected. I have sworn that I would never vote for any man, directly, who voted for or supported the Nebraska.. Bill. Douglas and Breckin- ridge are in the same category on this subject; and I might by voting the Union ticket, indirectly vote for either. As for Mr. Bell, I regard him as a slim chance for a President, and I would not directly vote for him, although he voted against the Nebraska Bill. There is a tale to that! So you see that I do not go for man, or men, but for principle, and if Mr. Bell should stand on any platform, after filching it, I cannot help it, or for any considera- tion come out in favor of a man who has no chance of success, and who has allowed himself to be used by odious men, and for no good purpose that I can perceive. So far as men are concerned I will look on with folded arms. So far as principle is concerned I will always be ready to speak out. Give our love to the ladies. Houston. P.S. The mail is closing.... How can a Jackson Democrat vote for Rhett or Yancey, or for their representatives? Thine truly, Houston. Hon. George Washington Crawford, Washington, Texas. 1 William C. Crane, Life and Select Liter0111J Remains of Sam Houston, 232-233. George Washington Crawford (December 22, 1798-July 22, 1872) was a native of Georgia. He graduated from Princeton College in 1820, was admitted to the bar in 1822, and set up his office in Augusta, Georgia, his home town. He was Attorney General of Georgia, 1827-1831, State repre- sentative, 1837-1842, and was elected on the Whig ticket to the 27th United States Congress to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Richard W. Haver- sham, but served only a short time, January 7 to March 3, 1843. He served as Governor of Georgia, 1843-1847, and was appointed Secretary of War in Taylor's cabinet, serving from March 8, 1849, to July 23, 1850. Dur- ing the summer and early fall of 1860 he traveled throughout the Southern States, hoping to influence political factions to the point of making a de- feat of the Republican ticket possible. His last public service was in the conventions of 1861. He died on his estate, "Bel Air," near Augusta, and was buried in th.e Summerville Cemetery. See Dictiona111 of American Biog- 1·aphy, IV, 520. G. P. Brooks, the writer of the sketch on G. W. Craw- ford, gives this name as George Walker Crawford; but the Biographical Directory of the American Congrest1 (1928), 857; also W. C. Crane, Life and Select Liten,.,-y Remains, both write the name George Washington Crawford.
Powered by FlippingBook