WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
403
two lieutenants, and one captain, and report the same to the Executive for orders forthwith. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Records, 1859-1861, p. 24, Texas State Library. John Henry Brown, History of Texas, II, 382; and E. L. Blair, Ea1·ly Histo1·y of G1·imcs Connty, 57-58, both give this man's name as John C. Conner, and say that he came to Texas in 1830, with the Zuber family from Kentucky. He made application for a headright of land (a league and a labor, atout 4500 acres), in 1832, describing himself as a widower with one child, a daughter. The land was granted to him and it was patented, October 22, 1835. It was located in Walker County (See Abstracts of Land Patents, II, 604, General Land Office of Texas). During the early years of the Republic of Texas, especially in 1844, John Conner rendered much service as a scout, interpreter, and agent among the various tribes of Indians (See Houston to R. H. Porter, February 5, 1844, and to Leonard H. Williams, June 1, 1844, volume IV, 246, 329), and here on January 9, 1860, Houston authorizes him to organize a ranging company. John Henry Brown, and E. L. Blair spelled the man's name Conner, and Houston habitually did the same, but it is found Conno1·, elsewhere, and the latter spelling seems to be correct. See Garrison, Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, II, 2i4. Notwithstanding the variance in initial and spelling, it seems clear that the same John Conner (Connor) was the person mentioned by each writer.
To THE DIRECTORS OF THE PENITENTIARY 1
Executive Office, January 10, 1860.
To the Directors of the Penitentiary Gentlemen: I am advised by the letter of Mr. B. W. Walker, that the late officers of the Penitentiary have appointed a certain J. F. Chanaler [Chandler] as superintendent of the factory and also two overseers for the next two years, and entered into a written contract with them. To guide you in your duties, I refer you to Oldham & White's Digest, page 467, articles 82, 83, 84, 85, 86; Page 467, Art. 96; Page 469, Art. 99; Page 470, Art. 113. These will show you all the powers of boards as to appointments and removals. You wave the right and power, to remove all officers or persons of whom they have the right of appointment. So you will act under the law and make removals that you may deem necessary. All acts done by the former officers are of no effect as to contracts, for the law gave them no such power, and if individuals are prejudiced by their unauthorized acts, the in- jured parties can have recourse upon them in law. Do now permit what has been done without law, or authority to interfere with your duties. Clean out the concern and so soon
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