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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
or get nothing to eat. I have so far only dined out once, & that I could not well forego as there were no Ladies to be at Table! There is only one Lady I could mention that I would freely live on bread and water for a month, if I could have the pleasure of taking one quick meal with her. You can, perhaps, fancy who she is, and I am sure, you will not censure my taste, or think the sacrifice too great-for the pleasure I would have in meet- ing the Lady. You will readily recognize the Lady without my naming her. If it were needful I could tell her name! Tell Maggie that I was starting out to get her a Book, as it began to rain. I will not neglect her request. Oh, I would be so happy if I could only be at home this rainy day, if I could only be at home to hear the rain patter on the roof. It is now pattering on the skylight of the Chamber, and it is most provokingly enchanting when I fancy how much more sweetly my time would pass were I at home. Thy Devoted Houston. Mrs. Houston.
1 From Mrs. Margaret John's collection of Houston materials.
REMARKS ON THE PACIFIC RAILROAD BILL, JANUARY 27, 1859 1 Mr. President, I hardly know what to say in answer to the Senator from California. This is a very unexpected demand upon me. I have sat here during the whole session, and have made but one very short speech on the Pacific railroad,2 and I did not intend to make another. I was satisfied to vote on the proposi- tions as they were brought forward severally, and to give all the aid I possibly could towards the accomplishment of the construc- tion of the Pacific railroad. I have no hesitancy in voting for it as a constitutional and national measure. I am not situated as are some gentlemen in the Senate, who cannot find authority in the Constitution for the construction of a Pacific railroad, and therefore are not prepared to vote for any measure that tends to accomplish that object. Mr. President, it is some time since I read the Constitution, because I hear it so often discussed, and such a variety of com- mentaries on it, that I think it unnecessary to go to the original text. The expositors seem more learned than the framers of the Constitution, and therefore it is unnecessary for me to peruse it. By reviewing my recollection of past events, however, I cannot recollect that I have anywhere found authority in the Constitution
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