309
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
scab on Texas. I am ready, as I have ever been, to die for my country, but to die without a hope of benefit by my death is not my wish. The well-being of my country is the salvation of my family; But to see it surrendered to Lincoln, as sheep in the shambles, is terrible to me. I fear that within twenty days, or less, an assault will be made upon some part of our coast, and how are we prepared to repel it? Have we men? Will we have means? Our troops with leaders, have never been beaten, and with good ones, they will always be invincible. Will Major Marshall, McLeod, Sher- man, or the gallant men made by the Convention, or the Com- mittees of vigilance, save us in an hour of peril? Does _anyone suppose that proclamations by a Clark will save the Country in the hour of her peril; yet no one else has power but those to whom I have referred! The fact that a park of flying artillery is on the vessel now in our harbor is proof that a landing is designed somewhere on the coast. The question arises: is it wise to send our men and arms at the instance of Major Marshall! These matters, my son, I have written to you, and have to say in conclusion, if Texas did not require your services, and you wished to go elsewhere, why then all would be well, but as she will need your aid, your first allegiance is due to her and let nothing cause you in a moment of ardor to assume any obligation to any other power whatever, without my consent. If Texas demands your services or your life, in her cause, stand by her. Houston is not, nor will be a favorite name in the Confederacy! Thus, you had best keep your duty and your hopes together, and when the Drill is over, come home. Your Dear Ma and all of us send best love to you and Martin. Give my regards to General Rogers, Colonel Daly, & Dr. Smith. When will you be home, my son! Thy Devoted Father, Sam Houston. Sam Houston, Jr. 1 C. W. Raines, The Yem· Book /01· Texas, II, 456-457; also in Domestic Co1-respondence (Houston Lette1·s), Texas State Library. ·
To CLEMENT R. JoHNs 1
Huntsville, Texas, 23 August, 1861. My Dear Sir, I thank you for your prompt attention to my matters, and so soon as I could lay my hands on my papers, I
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