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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
Done at Washington, this fourth day of November, A. D. one ~housand eight hundred and forty-three, and of the Independence of Texas the eighth. By the President, SAM HOUSTON Anson Jones, Secretary of State [Addressed]: Free. Anson Jones. Hon. Sarni. Maverick Bexar 1 Proclamations of the Presidents, Revublic of Tc:i;as; also Executive Record Book, No. 48, pp. 90-91, Texas State Library. The Morning Sta,·, November 9, 1843.
A SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (HUNTSVILLE) ON NOVEMBER 8, 1843
I greet, with pleasure, the fairer portion of the audience as- sembled here to-day. I am proud and happy that matters con- nected with the political course, and the condition of the country, should inspire them with the design of gracing the present occa- sion. The ladies are always patriotic; always influential upon the destinies of nations. They have had their influence in Texas, and I trust they will ever aid those to whom her political welfare is entrusted, by sustaining them in a course honorable to them- selves and beneficial to all connected with them. My Countrymen ! I am interested on this occasion to see you here present, and to note the anxiety you evince to become ac- quainted with matters connected or identified with the individual who now addresses you. No matter whether that anxiety is directed to his individual fate, or, what is more desirable, to the fate of your country, as it is that which I regard. Upon the solicitude of many friends among you, I have yielded to their desire that I should address you. It is not the course I would seek, or advocate in an Executive, when assailed by his adver- saries. But there are things which every individual has a right to demand. Every individual has an interest in the administration of public affairs, no matter if he have ten thousand dollars worth of property, or if he have one penny. He is a freeman; possessed of the elective franchise, and entitled to regard in the community. To all and each I would respond. It is my consolation that I have never been unmindful of my high responsibility nor unwilling to be open in the communication of my thoughts and designs, when entrusted with delegated powers. Assailed as I have been, and my motives misrepresented, not by the patriotic and honest
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