The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume IV

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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,2

100

I can assure you that the Executive entertains the most perfect confidence in the zeal and patriotism which you entertain for the cause of Texas; and desires that you rest assured that you shall occupy such station and rank in the services of the Republic as its number and organization will authorize. It will be desirable that you be here by the first day of August, or before, prepared in every respect for a campaign of six months at least. The troops which you bring to Texas shall be under your immediate command. Sam Houston [Rubric] "'Houston's Private Executive Record Book," p. 129, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams. Hiram G. Runnels (December 17, 1786-December 17, 1857) was born and educated in Hancock County, Georgia. In early manhood he went to Mississippi Territory and taught in the backwoods schools. While in Mississippi he served for a short time in the army, fighting Indians. He was a member of the convention that framed the first consti- tution for the state of Mississippi. In 1822, he was elected Auditor of Public Accounts and served for several terms in that position. In 1829 he was elected to the Mississippi Legislature, and in 1830 was made receiver of public revenues. In 1831 he ran for the governor's office but was defeated, but, not discouraged, he tried for the place again in 1833 and was elected; in 1835 he was candidate for reelection, but was defeated. In 1836 he became president of the Union Bank for one year, and when Governor McNutt criticised his management of the bank's affairs, he caned the Governor upon the streets of Jackson. For a similar reason in 1840 he fought a duel with Volney E. Howard, editor of The llilississivpian. He moved to Texas early in 1842, and established a plantation on the Brazos. Later he represented Brazoria and Galveston Counties in the State Senate. He moved to Houston in 1855, and was again elected to the State Senate. He died in Houston, and is buried there in Glenwood Cem- etery. See The New Encyclovedia of Texas, I, 260; Thrall, A Pictorial History of Texas, 607; Fulmore, The History and Geog1·aphy of Texas crs Told ·in Cou11ty Names, 607.

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To EDWARD BURLESON 1

City of Houston, May 12th, 1842.

To Hon. Edward Burleson, Vice President of Texas. Sir, Previous to the 21st ultimo, I had the honor to receive by Mr. T. Jefferson Green,2 your favor of the 15th April, and at the time he assured me he would call for an answer, as I under- stood him, and therefore did not reply until I might have a direct conveyance for the answer. ·

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