WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
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A REFUTATION OF CALUMNIES PRODUCED AND CIRCULATED AGAINST HIS CHARACTER AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF T'EXAS, FEBRUARY 28, 1859 1 Mr. President, within a very few days, my political life will terminate. Previous to that event, I deem it due to myself,' and to the truth of history, as well as tp posterity, that I should be indulged in vindicating myself against uncalled-for charges and unjustifiable defamation. Were it necessary, in retiring from official position, to cite illustrious examples for such a course, I could cite that of General Washington, who felt it necessary, with his large, his immeasurable renown, to offer a refutation of anonymous calumnies which had been circulated against him, and to specify the particular facts in relation to them. I find, too, that General Jackson, in his lifetime, deemed it proper to file a vindication of himself, which was not disclosed until after his decease. Not wishing to place myself in a category with these illustrious men, I nevertheless feel that it is due to myself that I should vindicate my character from the attacks that have been made upon me. Within the next month, I shall have served rriy country, with few intervals, for a period of forty-six years. How that service has been performed I leave it to posterity to determine. My only desire is, that truth shall be vindicated, and that I may stand upon that foundation, so far as posterity may be concerned with my action, that they may have an opportunity of drawing truthful deductions. Either of the illustrious patriots referred to might have spared much of their world-renownel distinction, and yet have had a world- wide fame left. More humble in my sphere than they were, more circumscribed than they, I feel that it is the more necessary for me to vindicate what may justly attach to me, from the fact that I leave a posterity, and from that circumstance I feel a superadded obligation. Neither of those illustrious men left posterity. I shall leave a posterity that have to inherit either my good name, based upon truth, or that which ·necessarily results to a character that is not unspotted in its public rela- tions. I have been careless of replying to these things for years. I believe no less than ten or fifteen books have b'een written defamatory of me, and I had hoped, having passed them with very little observation, that, as I approached the close of my political term, and was about to retire to the shades of private life, I should be permitted to enjoy that retirement in tran- quility; that my defamers would not pursue me there with the
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