The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume III

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842

49

To JOHN s. SYDNOR 1

City of Houston, May 13th, 1842.

To John S. Sydnor, Esq., Dear Sir,-If you can purchase for the use of the troops at Corpus Christi, two hundred and fifty (250) dollars worth of sugar and coffee, I will see it paid in Exchequer money in one hundred and twenty (120) days. If any person will sell it on these terms, I will be individually responsible for the amount. There is no interesting news from the West. We are looking with much interest to the coming of the New York, as doubtless much important news will come by her. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Rec~rd Book, No. 40, Texas State Library. John S. Sydnor kept a slave market in Galveston for a decade before the Civil War. This market was located on Congress Avenue between Main and Fannin streets. Sydnor was very eloquent, and had a melodious voice that often attracted to his sales large crowds who did not wish or intend to purchase negroes. After the Civil War, Sydnor established a mercantile and general trading house. See 0. F. Allen, The City of Ho11ston [,·om Wildeniess to Wonde1·, 45. To CAPTAIN ELI CHANDLER 1 Houston, Texas, May 13th, 1842. To Captain Eli Chandler: Dear Sir:- Your note by Mr. Raymond 1·eached me in due season; and I avail myself of his return to offer you my acknowl- €dgements for the prompt and patriotic manner in which you. have complied with the wishes of the government. You are entitled to the honor of. having made the first returns to the Department, of an organized company to commence the great work which we have before us. This fact speaks loudly for your activity and energy-and for the honorable and subordinate -disposition of your men. May Heaven speed yourself and com- mand through all the perils and achievements of the future; and may all of you strike many a hard and effective blow for liberty .and independence. In reply to your inquiry, whether any more than the usual com- plement of men may attach themselves to your company, I have to say, that you may enlarge your number to seventy-five. Your experience and high character will entitle you to the con- sideration of the commander, whoever he may be; and it is not improbable that yours may be one of the advanced companies.

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