The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume VII

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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1824-1857

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clear that the salvation and future growth, prosperity, and safety of the States depend, upon the annexation of Texas to the Union. The Statesmen of the U.S. seem not to be impressed sufficiently with the importance of Texas, or they are opposed to the pros- perity of their country. Of this we will discourse when we meet, which I hope will be soon. Everything which you write of the Great Chief, or your family interests me deeply. I regret that your lady could not visit Texas at this time, and that the indisposition of your little one, was the cause. I will be very happy if in May next you should visit the U.S. as we hope to go on at that time. Before I see you, I intend to inform myself as well as possible on all the matters now astir. I have not had time to read, or to reread the resolutions, since I received your favors and enclosures. May God bless you. Thine Truly [P. S.] Please when you write home commend Mrs. H. and myself to your Lady, the Old Chief, and Family. Thine 1 Tennessee Historical Magazine, III, 154-155. This letter, and three other letters to Donelson, are from an article concerning documents in the A. J. Donelson Papers, edited by St. George L. Sioussat, who, in 1918, was editor of the Tennessee Historical Magazine, but now is the chief of the Division of Manuscripts, in the Library of Congress. These four letters were called to our attention by Professor William C. Binkley. The Andrew J. Donelson papers are now in the Library of Congress; and the editors of The Writings of Sant Houston are informed that those papers contain other Houston letters. The Donelson Papers, however, have been removed from Washington for the duration of the war, and are not now available either for research or for photoduplication. In this letter, Donelson is addressed at Washington, Texas. 2 The third section of the joint resolution for the annexation of Texas, gave the President authority either to effect annexation under the terms of the first two sections of the resolution, or to negotiate with Texas a new treaty of annexation.

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To A. J. D0NELS0N 1

Montgomery, Texas, April 6, 1845. I take pleasure in rendering you my thanks for your last favor. Had it not been for bad roads and high waters, I would have made an effort on yesterday to get to Washington. When I will get there I can't say. I fear that I will have to visit Madam and Sam before it will be in my power to see you, unless you could fall in this way. As to the propriety of the visit, I can say nothing touching public affairs, but I will regret, that I cannot see yo·u for some time. I cannot be at Washington previous to

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