166
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843
So soon as you can repair to this place and advise, the work will be authorized and commenced. The letter to you was sent- by Bryson, and must have miscarried. Come as soon as you can. Mr. Borden can advance you money enough to come here - tell him so. We salute you. Truly Yours, Sam Houston [Rubric] "'Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 326-327, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams.
To GEORGE W. HocKLEY 1
P1-ivate
Washington, 24th February, 1843.
To Colonel G. W. Hockley, Dear Sir,
Your favor has just been received, and I have hastily run over it with other communications. My letter to you in January, I was in hopes would long since have brought you to this place. Since things have turned out as they have, and I had no adequate compensation to give you, I have cal- culated to appoint three citizens as commissioners to carry on and out the work. You will perceive that they have been referred to you for a "plan," and I have directed an official to you on that subject by the Department. I hope you will find it convenient to supply the plan forthwith. I find that I cannot do things as they should be; and that every obstacle would be imposed to your usefulness, and therefore will not impose upon you a disagreeable and unprofitable job. If the money should not be well applied, the fault will not be mine. I do sincerely hope that it may be well done for the country. We do at this time need all the luck that can be in store for a people. When felons, factionists, and traitors roam about and boast and abuse the Government with impunity, it is time that patriotism should take sedition by the forelock and put it down. Time, the knife, or rope, will cure the evil. It should be done, and must be done. It produces great injury to the country. This is the opinion framed and expressed by our agents both in Europe and in the United States. If you meet the express on the way and should not return, I wish you, if you please, to write some one of the commis- sioners, and advise them of your determination.
Powered by FlippingBook