224
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
appreciated the advantage that she has been to this country in giving us the control of the Pacific ocean. That advantage is greatly to be promoted, according to my apprehension, by forming an intimate connection between At- lantic and Pacific by means of this projected railroad; and hence it is that I am anxious to see its accomplishment. I am ready to_ give any feasible plan my most cordial cooperation, though it is only that of a single vote. The State from which I come has indicated the most liberal disposition towards the policy of this great national object. Now let the nation step forward and contribute with the same liberal spirit that she has done in the accomplishment of more than half the distance from the natural terminus on the Mississippi to San Francisco, and the whole work will soon be accomplished. Let not Texas be challenged with remissness on this occasion, or with neglect of the interests that may result from a more intimate connection with California. We have intelligence enough to appreciate the advantages of it, and therefore we have insisted with some pertinacity on having a fair competition with other sections of the Union. I am ready to discard all sectional considerations, and look to the advantage to result to the nation, and not to any particular State, or section, or point. These are the feelings that actuate Texas and her representatives in the Senate.
I I I ' ' ' I
1 Congressional Globe, Part 1, 1858-1859, pp. 632-633. 2 See the speech aboye, January 12, 13, 1859.
To MRS. HousTON 1
Washington, 29th Jany., 1859. . My Dear, My morning labor is on hand, but what it will end in, I am unable to say. Love, I suppose will be the concluding sentiment in it as it has prompted the beginning, so it will form the conclusion. Well, today is beautiful, and like spring. I presume all our people, I mean the children, are almost crazy to get to "the Bay"; this I infer from Mary Willie's letter. I would like to know what Master Andrew, with his new pa,nts, has to say on the subject. It will just suit him, as there will be no chance to shut up his dogs, or any thing else for a while. And he will not care to have the fish at liberty. I think he will be a great fish eater, and particularly if ·he takes a fancy that fish eating will make him "grow big." Whenever I begin to write about home matters, my memory of the pas~ is aroused, and my feelings
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