WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,2
107
surrender. It is probable had it not been for · Allen's services, Louisiana would have been overrun by the Northern armies and utterly devastated. But the struggle over, Governor Allen could not remain in Louisiana; he was proscribed, as were many other prominent Confederate leaders. He borrowed a few hundred dollars and went to Mexico, where he was cordially received by Maximilian. But the people of Louisiana had not forgotten him; although in exile, he was proposed for the governor's office in 1865. At the time, however, he was in Mexico City waging a battle with death, for his health was very bad; although he struggled on and established and edited a newspaper that promised success, he diecl, April 22, 1866. See Confedemte Military Histo1'y, X (1899); S. E. Dorsey, Recollections of Henry W. Allen (1866); Public Debt Papers, Texas State Library; Dictionary of Ame1··ican Biography, I, 191-192.
To H. R. A. WIGGINTON 1
Private
Houston, Texas, May 13th, 1842.
To Colonel H. R. A. Wigginton Dear Sir,
It has been represented to me that you entertain for the present and permanent welfare of Texas, the liveliest solic- itude-and that you are ready and willing to devote your best efforts to the advancement of the great work in which we are about to engage with all your energy and power. For this patriotic disposition on your part, please accept my grateful acknowledg- ments. I am informed that you intend a visit to Kentucky, and will take in charge and advance the interests of Texas in that quarter. To no one could I commit them with greater confidence than to yourself. Your intimate and extensive acquaintance with the friends of our cause in that gallant state will enable you to do much, I am sure, for the public benefit in the crisis now pending in this country. Relying, therefore, with implicit faith upon your entire competency for the task assigned you, I hereby authorize you -to act as a special agent for the Republic in Kentucky. In- asmuch as it is important that as little delay as possible should ensue in the prosecution of our plans, you will please proceed at once in the discharge of your duties in such manner as your discretion shall dictate, and from time to time report your pro- ceedings to the Executive. . You may assure all, who view with any solicitude the present condition of Texas, that the war will be prosecuted, and that, too, with all prudent despatch. In no event will active operations be longer deferred than the 20th of July. Before that period
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