The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume III

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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842

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Brazoria, Texas. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1840 to 1841; served in the Texas Senate, 1842; was Chief Justice of a county court; Judge of the Probate Court of Brazoria County; was again a member of the Texas Senate in 1845. When the State was admitted to the Union he was elected as a Calhoun Democrat to the 29th and 30th Congresses and served from March 30, 1846 to March 3, 1849. He was the unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1848, to the 31st Congress. He died at Henderson, Rusk County, on November 23, 1858, and was buried in the City Cemetery of that town; See Biogravhical Directory of the United States Congress (1928), p. 1413. ~William Henry Daingerfield. See Houston to the Senate, January 29, 1842. 0 Robert Potter (about 1800-March 2, l 842), Representative to the United States Congress from North Carolina, Texas Pioneer and politician. He was a member of the Texas Constitutional convention of March, 1836, and there became one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence and was on the committee to draw up the first Constitution of Texas. He was an ardent advocate for disbanding the convention and the Provis:onal Government and going to the relief of Travis and his men at the Alamo; and later he urged the execution of Santa Anna. He was radical, quarrel- some, strikingly handsome, and a fine actor. As a member of the Texas Senate in 1842, he was able to push through that body a resolution of out- lawry against William P. Rose, a leader of the Moderators. A feud already begun between Potter and Rose flared into mob violence. On the night of March 2, Potter was surprised, in his bed, at his home on Caddo Lake, by Rose and his mob. He was given a chance to run for his life. He dived into Caddo Lake, but when he was forced to come to the surface for air, was shot by the son-in-law of Rose. His remains were never recovered. See Dictionciry of Anuwfran Biography, XV, 133-134; Bio- graphica.l Congressional Directory of the American Cong,·ess (1928), 1426. Also, see Samuel E. Asbury Papers, The University of Texas Library. 8 Cornelius Van Ness. See Cornelius Van Ness Nominated District At- torney, December 11, 1837. To w. P. AuBREY 1 New Washington, May 26th, 1842. To W. P. Aubrey/ Esq.. Dear Sir- Being temporarily here, I have this moment re- ceived your letter of the 12th ultimo, in relation to the Mexican traders. Previous to its perusal, I had seen the traders and de- termined to release them and their property and give them a safe passport beyond the limits of Texas, under the convoy of Captain Ephraim McLean,3 as far as may be necessary to ensure their safety; which orders will be given to Gen. Davis;1 with leave for them to trade to any extent they may wish on their present visit, except in munitions of war.

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