WRITINGS OF SA:M HOUSTON, 1822-1841
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me with your confidence, you may rest assured that my unceasing exertions will be employed, with zeal in the promotion for public good, with which your interests are inseparably connected. In taking leave of you, fellow citizens, I cannot do justice to my feelings, without expressing the most sincere and heartfelt grati- tude, for the kind marks of confidence which you have so gen- erously conferred upon me. My abilities were humble, but you preferred me-I had not experience, but you confided in me. On all occasions I have sought to serve you with uprightness and fidelity, and if my endeavors have been successful, their richest reward will be found in your approbation. Your friend and fel- low citizen, Sam Houston. 1 Tennessee Historical 11'/aza.gine, IX (1925), 73-77. The magazine gives no reference to the source from which this document was copied. In Writings of Sam Houston, I, 26-27, the editors published on extract from this docu- ment taken from Niles' Registe1·, but since the extract is a 1·ather brief one, and the entire draft of Houston's message to his constituents is now avail- able, it is printed in full here.
To COLONEL BowL, CHEROKEE CHIEF 1
San Felipe de Austin, 22nd Nov. 1835 My friend, When we parted, I hoped to see you in this place, at the Council, and was sorry that you did not come with my other friends. All that I promised to you at our talk in Nacogdoches has been done, and your land is secured to you! So soon as it is possible you will find Commissioners sent to you, to hold a treaty and fix your lines, that no bad men will go inside them without leave. I expect that I will be sent to you, and I will then take you the Great paper that was signed by all the Council - It will make you happy and all your people contented as long as you live. We have heard here that some bad men, while you were from home, had been surveying, and marking your lands - It will do them no good, for they will never get one foot of it as long as they live! I want you all to be happy and I will go to see you so soon as I can. Tell all the Chiefs and people, that I will hold them by the hand always. Your friend and Brother Sam Houston [Rubric] To Colonel Bowl. 1 By the courtesy of Major Richard F. Burges, El Paso,_Texas.
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