WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
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ing -the peace and jeopardizing-the lives and property of our frontier-Citizens to say nothing of the immense cost of such a war. The rendition of Johnson to be tried by the courts of Palo Pinto could not compensate the frontier people for all the horrors of a border war which would most likely be consequent upon such a demand carried into execution; and in case the Federal Govern- ment would be willing to indemnify the wronged party. The Executive would ask of the people of Palo Pinto County through you, if they are willing to risk such fearful consequences by in- sisting upon his return for trial. When for the promotion of peace and good feeling, even justice may be diverted from her solemn course by measures of concilia- tion, a sound discretion dictates and the welfare of the people demands that they should pause and reflect well upon the results of precipitate action. The loss, however insignificant, may seriously inconvenience a single individual; but even were the Federal Government to refuse to indemnify the party, what is its value when. compared with the loss of life that might ensue the rendition of this Indian for trial for an offence, the penalty of which is only imprisonment for a very limited period. The Executive has no other desire than to promote the welfare and prosperity of the frontier citizen, and he desires that the determination of the Department of the Interior be made known to the_people of Palo Pinto County. Upon receipt of your reply to this, I will again address the Secretary of the Interior. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Reco1·ds, 1859-1861, ·pp. 247-248, Texas State Library. See To Franklin L. Denison, July 19, 1860.
TO SAM HOUSTON, JR. 1
Austin, 7th November, 1860. My Dear Son, Your Dear Ma sends you, by stage, a bundle with eatables in it. I hope that they will be agreeable to your palate. We are all well, and all send love to you. There is no news. The election is over, and the Breckinridge Ticket carried by some 150, or 170 votes. How the State will go, I can't say, but "The Union must be preserved." The fire eaters got their chunk put out. The price of liberty is blood, and if an attempt is made to destroy our Union, or violate our Constitution, there will be blood
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