WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
265
can have an interest in them, with those already there; or you may, if you like, buy for us, four or five sows, at what you think them worth. I want the Wohurn Boar should be there so as to mix with the new sows. We ought to be able to sell 1,000 lbs. of Pork and Bacon per year. Urge our friend Armstrong to go for the boar so soon as he can, if he has to hire a man to go with him in a small boat, or a yawl. Do the best that you can. We are almost crazy to go down to the point, and Andrew and Willie are nearly crazy to "see Cousin Mart Lea." Do, my dear Martin, get the crop as forward as possible. If I live to get there, we will set a part of the fence to make a pasture, & I wish you to know that it is at my cost, & shall not enter the partnership business! We must keep out the wild stock from our pasture. Do write to me. All are anxious to hear from you and send love. Affec- tionately, Houston. 1 The original letter is in Mrs. John's collection of Houston materials. Photostat copies are in both the State and The University of Texas Libraries. Martin A. Lea was Mrs. Houston's nephew. To A COMMITTEE OF THE SECESSION CONVENTION 1 Executive Department, Austin, Texas, March 6, 1861. Messrs. W. P. Rogers,:? T. J. Jennings,S A. S. Broaddus,~ J. G. Robertson/ W. A. Montgomery,° Committee. Gentlemen :-In reply to your communication of the 5th, I can only say, that when the Legislature authorized the Convention to submit the proposition to the people on the subject of secession from the Federal Government of the United States, it was under- stood that the performance of that act, when done would term- inate the existence of the Convention. The Executive approved the same, with a protest against the shortness of the time allowed owing to the great limits of our State. By a subsequent act of the Legislature, it was required that the returns of the votes should be made to the office of the Secre- tary of State and counted in the presence of the Governor and the Attorney General. The votes were counted, and the result declared by Proclamation that a majority of the votes cast was in favor of secession. By an act of the Legislature the Convention was empowered to submit the question of secession to a vote of the people. The
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