266
WRITINGS OF 5AM: HOUSTON, 1861
Convention performed the functions assigned to it by the Legis- lature, and, in the opinion of the Executive, its powers were then exhausted. The executive will recommend to the Legislature, which is to reassemble on the 18th inst., to take into consideration the im- portant issues arising out of the severance of our connection with the United States, with such recommendations and suggestions as he may think proper, and also to call a Convention directly from the people, which will fairly represent their wishes and opinions, and who will have authority to make such changes in the Constitution of the State as her present and future relation to the world at large may require. Until then it will be the duty of the Executive, as well as all State officers, to continue in the lawful discharge of their duties, confining their action to the sphere of Texas only. The Executive Tenders his respects to the gentlemen of the Convention, and assures you, gentlemen, individually, of his es- teem. Very truly Your obedient servant, Sam Houston. 1 Executive Reco1·ds, 1859-1861, Texas State Library; The True Issue, March 21, 1861. :?For ,v. P. Rogers, see Houston to a Committee of the Secession Conven- tion, January 31, 1861. 8 Thomas Jefferson Jennings (October 1801-September 20, 1881), an eminent lawyer and Attorney General of Texas, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia. His father, William Jennings, was sheriff of that county for a number of years, and in 1808, represented it in the State Legisla- ture. He later moved to Kentucky and settled in Todd County, where his son Thomas Jefferson was reared and prepared for college. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1825. After teaching school for several · years, he studied law, and in due time was admitted to the bar. In 1828, he began the practice of his profession at Paris, Tennessee, but soon moved to Huntingdon, where he distinguished himself as one of the brilliant young lawyers of Tennessee. In 1835, he moved to Mississippi, and settled at Yazoo City, where he soon built up a large and lucrative practice. In 1840, he moved to 'fexas and settled at San Augustine, but moved to Nacog- doches before a year was out. There he permanently settled and became a law partner with W. B. Ochiltree. In 1852, he was elected Attorney Gen- eral of the State, and was reelected in 1854. He declined further service in that office, and retired to his plantation, near Alto, in Cherokee County. He was elected to represent that county in the State Legislature in 1857. He was strongly Southern in his views and sentiments and favored prompt and vigorous measures of resistance to the threatening attitude of the in- coming administration of President Lincoln toward the institutions of the South. He was a member of the Secession Convention in 1861, in which,
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