189
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
To ASHBEL SMITH 1
Huntsville, 29th Oct., 1858. My Dear Sir, Your promised letter has not arrived, and in thinking about you, & it, another matter incident comes in a business matter. I have resolved to go into the shepe'rdizing business, and I have concluded that you are too much away from home to become mere[Jy] a supervisor of shepherds, and that the hogs & dogs will get hold of your fold, or flock, and you will loose [sic] thereby! Now, your sheep are on the Bay, and are used to salt water, and I want a small flock as nucleus, to gather other flocks around. If you incline to bring sheep from Rio Grande, I will aid you with the best bloods of my stock, and I wish next spring, if I live, to bring some of the best Bucks of the U.S. Some for mutton, and others for wool. In Louisiana sheep can be had for $2.50, and I am told also in Eastern Texas. They may require acclimating. Now, my Dear Friend, don't you get provoked at me, for disparaging you in the way of sheep-husbandry. I admit your universal intelligence, and ability in general matters, but you would not do, personally, as a sheep man! Wen, the long and short of the matter is, if you will part with your sheep, I will send you a Draft on Galveston, or Houston, for your flock at the rate of four dollars per head, and send word if you please to Armstrong to come, and receive them if you accept the proposition! If not, why excuse me. I wish to give poor Armstrong something to do! At all events write me a long letter about times, and give me a bird's eye view of coming events, and your personal intentions for the future! I have none, and will have none, unless I go to Mexico, to take a look at the interior of the "Halls of the Monte- zumas." Thine Truly, Sam Houston. Dr. Ashbel Smith 1 Ashbel Sm,ith Papers, The University of Texas Library. TO THOMES P ALMER 1 Huntsville, November 17, 1858. My Friend. I was sorry to hear that you were not wen and had the chills. Mr. McCoy is about the same. George Dearmond
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