WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
96
upon my memory when I might not be living to protect myself from an aspersion as foul as its source was probably malignant, selfish and wicked. In making up this estimate, the fact of copies having been taken by the Ex-President and one, at least of his Secretaries, furnishes to my mind the strongest data. If they were produced for private ends alone, I have not been informed to what extent they have been circulated. I have, however, learned that threats of dis- closing very important evidence of my dishonesty and infidelity, and insinuations against my reputation of the darkest and most clandestine nature, have been frequently made by those who have sought to postrate me in the eyes and hearts of my countrymen. If employees of the government have, heretofore, received the substance of the people to fabricate and propagate defamation it was no more than I had grounds to expect; for those who are them- selves corrupt and unworthy are always ready to assail that fame and virtue which they have not exalt[at]ion of spirit sufficient to emulate. Without self-reproach, I have thus far performed the obliga- tions which have rested upon me as a private citizen and public officer; and now, without fear, I apprise the world that I invite the fullest investigation into all my acts and motives. I have to request, therefore of your Honorable Body, that this foulest of secret machinations, of malice and of slander, may be entered upon the journals of the Senate; and that nothing what- ever may be secret with which my name is connected. Sam Houston. 1 "Messages of the Presidents, Republic of Texas," Cong1·essiorntl Pcipers, Sixth Congress; also, Executive Recorcl Boole, No. 40, pp. 112-113, Texas State Library. The Red-Larnle1·, September 29, 1842. This message con- cerns a report written by A. S. Wright, March 18, 1840, saying that he had received information that Houston and unnamed associates were paid $100,000 for the release of Santa Anna in 1836. Wright's letter is quoted by Joseph Waples to Houston. It was inclosed within Houston's message to Congress. TO THE TEXAS SENATE 1 Executive Department, City of Houston, July 9h., 1842. To the Honorable, the Senate: In pursuance of a resolution of your Honorable Body of the 5th instant, I herewith respectfully submit a full and complete
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