190
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
started down there yesterday and the family will follow soon. There is no pleasant news in our vicinity. Mr. Jos. Smither deceased last evening after a long spell of fever. Mrs. Branch is getting well. The Misses Dearmond have recovered and are anxious to get to the Bay. I have sold my place to Carroll Smith, valued at near $4000. It was cheap for those who will take care of it. I will wish Dick [a negro servant] to make me a crop at the Point. I will want him to include as much of the Prairie, by extending the fence, as he can. Some rails will have to be made to extend it, and these I wish to be got down near Swan Point, of old cedar, if any remains, and if not of cedar, of Post Oak, out side of the present fence, and at the lower end of the field, and not near the house. Dick can begin the first of February, and I will give him $35, thirty-five dollars a month, for him and his oxen, and I wish you to call on Genl. Nichols, or Mr. Ruthven, Galveston, and either one will let you have two ploughs for me. One large one, and one for a single horse or mule. It may be that I will send Pearl, or Nash down to assist Dick to take in as much Prairie as possible. If I do it will not be until about the first of January or the middle of the month. I have not yet been able to get any sheep, tho' I have tried every- where. I will write to Mr. Armstrong and he will call on you about sheep. You spoke to me about the old cedar in my brake, and on re- flection, I cannot spare any of it. It will answer as good a purpose for fencing as green cedar, and I will want it all to run my upper line of fence. I wish to preserve my Green cedar. So you see I will not have a single stick to spare. The seed corn I told you of I will want planted. When it is to go down you can get your seed. It is Spanish, or Mexican corn, and will suit the Bay Country best. I will give you and our friend Sandel,} what you want. If it is for seed! Mrs. Houston and all are pleased that we have a prospect of being neighbors again. We are all pretty well. We all unite in best regards to Mrs. P ., yourself and all the families! Thine Truly Sam Houston. [P.S.] Write to me as soon as you can to Washington City as I hope to set out if spared in a few days. 1From a photostat copy of the original, Texas State Library. The original Jetter is in the possession of Mrs. Pearl Parmer Ripley, a descendant of
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