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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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The papers containing the correspondence between yourself and the committee of safety of the city of Austin concerning the removal of the archives, during the late incursion of the Mexicans, were very opportunely here; for they conclusively proved by the party opposed to the removal that a clear and undoubted emergency existed at that time as well as in the spring. They were read in the House of Representatives, and, of course, pro- duced the proper effect. Sam Houston P. S. You will receive herewith a copy of the letter addressed to Messrs. Smith and Chandler. A copy of this letter to yourself has been forwarded to them. Sam Houston 1 Miscellaneous Files, General Land Office of Texas; also Executive Record _Book, No. 40, p. 171, Texas State Library. In reply to this letter Ward wrote: Austin, Texas, January 8, 1843. To His Excellency Sam Houston, Sir: Your letter of December 10, and copies of letters to Messrs. Smith and Chandler were received by hands of Mr. Smith on Thursday, evening of the 29th ult., and the boxes containing the papers, books and archives of the General Land Office were forwarded by Messrs. Smith and Chandler, and were loaded at noon the next day after the receipt of your letter. Much excitement prevailed here; a Howitzer loaded with grape was dis- charged at my residence after I had heard the cry of "Blow the old house to pieces;" eight shots perforated the building, and had the mob have continued their fire, I could not have answered for the consequences, as I undoubtedly should have defended myself to the last; the wagons took the upper route by Kinneys because of the people living on Brushy not being so violent against the removal as those living below, or on the 1·oad to Bastrop, and to prevent violence to the papers, etc., I sent two of the Land Office clerks in charge of them with positive instructions to take special care of the boxes and their contents and not to interfere with the people in case of their rioting with the wagon guard, but to keep an eye single to their charge and not on any account to give them up to any person which I must regret to inform you they could not do. The archives were forcibly taken from them and lodged in Mrs. Eberly's house, since which the boxes have been removed to a house in Pecan Street, whether with the papers, or empty, I cannot say. I have employed all the exertion I could to have them restored to the office, but in vain, and what the result may be, Providence alone can determine. Many threats have been made against my person, and Capt. Daniels, and also that I would be compelled by force to give up the remaining papers of the government to the people of this place, which I undoubtedly would have been forced to do but for the extreme friendship of two friends, inmates of my house (Capt.
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