WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,2
91
of our agents, are greatly to be desired, so we shall very shortly make a move against the enemy. Sam Houston [Rubric] "'Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 120-121, courtesy of Mr. Franklin \:\Tilliams. General Walter Smith was the Texan consul at Mobile, Alabama. See Houston to Colonel John Darrington, May 12, 1842, this volume.
MAY, 1842-DECEMBER, 1842 To H. w ASHINGT0N 1
·Private
Galveston, May 1st, 1842.
To Colonel H. ·w ashington : Dear Colonel, I write you in haste. You will learn from Col. Barry Gillespie all the news from Texas. I commend him to you as most worthy of the station to which he has been appointed. The Colonel will relieve you, and you will not be overwhelmed with business but look alone to your design. Don't make a move without advice from the Department of War. It may be that a general move will be made sooner than could have been anticipated. We must to some extent be the subjects of emergency; and I have never felt the influence of circum- stances more than at the present moment. Every hour is big with events, pressing and important. I hope you will be on the alert, but of this I need not admonish you. I can only say, that unless you are most fully assured of success, risk nothing by making a descent upon the coast of Mexico. Of the boats ( steamers) of which you speak, I can advise nothing; because I do not know their condition or value. Those of light draft might be of use to us on the Rio Grande. Let no cash be laid out which may be on hand, or contributed, without the orders of the President or Secretary of \Var. I must close as I am literally worn down by continued labor. Mrs. Houston will accompany her brother, Martin A. Lea, on a short visit to her relatives and friends in Marion. She has enjoyed no health for ten days, and I urge her visit to the States.
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