WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
143
With my most sincere wishes for your future prosperity and the [de- leted] happiness of your domestic relations [deleted] I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Mo. Obedt. Servt. Geo. W. Hockley, Secy of War & Marine [P. S.] Principally, a sense of duty to the country and to those who have nobly borne penury, want, hardship in the service, together with a thorough conviction that the interest of the country imperatively requires the aid of the arm of national defense, alluded to in the above communica- tion, induce my action in this matter. In this position I am honest, and regulated alone by _that impulse; "tis not that " those sentiments" are"not reciprocated to the extent to which I" (you)" have borne them," 'tis that I believe and see that the interests of the country are sacrificed to opinions, not in my estimation founded upon enlightened, liberal and just grounds. I am somewhat at a loss to understand an expression contained in your last note, it is this . " It (my letter) does seem to me as calling for recrinination, a course which to my perception, would be for the country at this time somewhat unfortunate." Recrimination, as I understand the word, means " an accusation 1·e- to1·ted," but to place this matter entirely beyond any forced construction, 'tis simply necessary to admit, and hereby such admission is most imphat- ically made, that I advised and approved the appointment of an Acting Quarter Master, and of an Acting Inspector General and his Assistants, because I deemed it necessary for the interest of our Country, and that I have asked for a similar action in the absence of a specific law, in relation to the Navy, and for the same reason. The communication was not intended for publication, but no objection on my part shall be made to such a course. A portion of my letter has been stricken out at the suggestion of our friend Judge Terrell, it was meant as complimentary and not as offensive. I am however under the necessity of 1·eturning my resignation through him, and Have the Honor to be Very Respectfully Your mo. Obt. Servt. Geo. W. Hockley, Sec. of War & Marine. [Endorsed]: Resignation of Colo. G. W. Hockley as Secy of War & Marine. Rec'd on Sept 1st, and accepted 2nd Sept. 1842 Sam Houston [Rubric] A NOTE ATTACHED TO A LETTER FROM G. W. TERRELL1 4th September, 1842. Terrell has given this jest a serious turn, & I regret that he carried it so far. Htint is a good fellow-all told! Sam Houston [Rubric]
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