The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume III

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WRITINGS OF Sur HousToN, 184,2

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although by some it may be regarded as injudicious, I can offer this assurance, that advantages sufficient are undisclosed in the 1nanner of invasion to ensure the most perfect success, if the arm-y -is subordinate to 01·clers. Triumph cannot elude us, unless disorder prevails in our ranks. The arrival of emigrants in the country, and their anxiety for active employment, and the ·want of provisions, will not allow the time desirable for complete preparation; but with the aid of our friends in the States we can sustain our cause. Texas cannot recede. We can no longer remain subject to marauding in- cursions of the enemy. There is, also, a substantive cause of war which appeals to every manly, chivalric and generous heart;- it is the relentless and cruel bondage of our brothers of Santa Fe, many of whom perilled their lives on the heights of San Jacinto. Their liberation is the task of Texas; and if she is unaided by her friends, and left to battle alone, we will maintain the con- flict, and never yield, until her Star is crimsoned and her last Banner shall be bathed in blood. Sam Houston. [Addressed]: T'o Colonel Barry Gillespie/ New Orleans.

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1 The Telegmph a1l(l Texas Register, May 25, 1842. ::see Houston to Barry Gillespie, April 30, 1842.

TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. TERRELL 1

City of Houston, May 16th, 1842.

To the Hon. G. W. Terrell : 2 Dear Sir,-You will please see, and induce, if you can, Mr. Joseph Durst, 3 and Colonel L. Williams 4 to go and see the Indian tribes and make peace with them, if they can. Let the conditions be peace and trade and the restoration of our people whom they hold as prisoners. I much desire this to be done; and you will make out and give such instructions as you may deem necessary and proper. Sam Houston. i£xecutive Reco1·d Boo!., No. 40, p. 91, Texas State Library. 2 George Whitfield Terrell came to Texas in 1837 and settled in San Augustine County, about five miles northwest of town (George Crocket, Two Centuries in East Texas, 242). George W. Terrell was Attorney Gen- eral of Tennessee in 1829, at the time Sam Houston resigned the governor's office. J. Pinckney Henderson in writing to M. B. Lamar, April 20, 1840, highly recommended Terrell to Lamar for the position of District Attorney of the San Augustine District. In this same letter (Lcimar PaJ)ers, V, 418-

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