WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
141
and I have no right to pass them at less. You knew I had not, and they were at a discount when you set out on your tour. You charge for fifty-nine days- Well, be it so. I know that your necessary expenses per diem did not exceed two dollars par funds; and Exchequer bills were passing at par in the country where your duties lay. So you were well paid. You received at a rate of more than seven dollars per day - I detest pecuniary matters, and I therefore hope this subject will rest. Another subject remains. You say that you have sustained me, &c. I thank you for all this. As a patriot it was your duty to do so, as long as I acted correctly. You did not sustain me in error; for things have proven that I was.right; and if I had pursued clamor for public opinion, I would have been wrong. You may imagine that I have much leisure on hand. If you do you are under a misapprehension. I have not time to carry on a correspondence, apart from my public duty and trust you will regard this letter as an assurance to that effect. I do not aspire to figure in diplomacy and hope to be excused from an effort at what I cannot attain. In my note to you, I did not intend to do you an injustice nor did I design to be personal, for I have always indulged in the kindest personal feelings towards you. I was doubtless somewhat irritated at you, and I was much engaged in other matters at the time. You provoked the letter, and I am sure have nothing to complain of in my estimation. 'Tis true, I might have considered myself insulted by a letter from you in anticipation of my veto to the "War bill," but I reflected that you had mounted the uniform, and did not wish to take it off again; and if your letter was in bad taste, it was not an emanation of a bad heart; also, that there were many things that you as well as myself were suited for, and a good many more for which we were not suited. But at all times, (though sometimes vexed) I have never in- dulged towards you any unkind feelings, but always to the con- trary. Sam Houston 1 The Texas Banne,·, November 24, 1849. See Houston appoints Wharton and Hunt agents to the United States, December 31, 1836. :?See Houston to Anson Jones, August 2, 1842.
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