WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
543
rations beyond those necessary to sustain the troops on the march to Goliad. You will be particular to instruct the Captains commanding not to permit insubordination among the men on the march and to allow no stock to be driven off. You will ascertain from the information within your reach the condition of things upon the Rio Grande and report upon the same. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Records, 1859-1861, p. 108, Texas State Library. For some data concerning McKnight, see Houston to Ford, March 24, 1860, above.
To JOHN HANcocK 1 Executive Department, March 24, 1860.
John Hancock, Esq., Georgetown, Texas Sir-I have directed Mr. McGinnis, esq., District Attorney of the Second Judicial district, to bring suit against Marshall 2 and Oldham, 3 and one against John Marshall, late Public Printer, for money which I conceive has been illegally charged by and paid to them. I wish to return your services in behalf of the State to aid in preparing and prosecuting the causes until a final disposition. I have no appropriation at my command, but will recommend that the Legislature pay you a fair fee for your services. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Records, Book No. 278, p. 101, Texas State Library. For John Hancock, see Houston to Hancock, July 21, 1855, in Volume VI, p. 192; also 362. 2 For John Marshall, see volume VII, p. 217. 3 Williamson Simpson Oldham (June 19, 1813-May 8, 1868), son of Elias and Mary (Bratton) Oldham, was born in Franklin County, Tennessee. He studied law in the office of Judge Nathan Green and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-three years. In 1836 he set up an office at Fayetteville, Arkansas, and after a few years of hard struggle, he found himself to be a successful lawyer; and he had the good fortune to marry the daughter of a rich man, James McKissick. From 1836 to 1848 he h~ld one public office after another, and in the spring of 1849 moved to Austin, Texas. His wife died on the way to Texas, leaving five small children; so on December 26, 1850, he married Mrs. Anne S. Kirk, of Lockhart, Texas. She lived scarcely six years, and on November 19, 1857, he married Agnes Harper, of Austin. From 1854 to 1857 he was one of the editors of Texas State Gazette, and took ari important part, 1855-1857, in the controversy betwee~ the _Dem~ cratic party and the Know-nothings. In 1859, in collabornt1on w1t.h his
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