WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184-3
198
a crocodile, or an alligator; or rather, they imitate the vampire that gloats upon the blood of its expiring victim. You can say nothing, nor will I; but let matters pass. I would be happy to see you, if 'twere convenient. I had the pleasure to hear today from General Terrell. He writes me of "Merida" &c, if true, 'tis only what I believed. I look for the news. Don't regard the fume, or faction, or stench of corruption. Truly thine, Sam Houston [Rubric] mHouston's Private Executive Record Book," p. 375, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams. ~This paragraph refers, of course, to the great controversy that had been stirred up by Houston's effort to give aid to the Mier prisoners by appealing to the foreign ministers in Texas and Mexico, to induce them to use their influence with the Mexican Government in behalf of the Texas prisoners. The newspapers had for some time been fillc-d with articles concerning the nature of the warfare that Texas was making against Mexico, and the United States and Great Britain had even made protest against "this unauthorized kind of warfare," and had admonished that it was of the same sort that Texas was complaining of on the part of Mexico. In reply to Great Britain's protest, made through the British cha1·ge d'affaires, Charles Elliott, Houston had replied· on January 24, 1843, and claimed that although granting that the Texans had gone to Mexico without orders from the Texas Government, the terms of their capitulation relieved them of that charge, etc. (see Houston to Captain Charles Elliott, January 24, 1843, Volume III) Houston's enemies, however, used this plea for resistance against him, and the clause granting that the Texans had gone into Mexico without authority from their government was interpreted by them to declare that he was using all his power against the Mier prisoners. Yoakum, Histo-ry of Texas, II, 395-400, gives a brief, but fair account of this episode. This letter of May 7, 1843, to Elliott, indicates that Houston, at first, determined to ignore the accusation that he was trying to cause the death of all the Texas prisoners in Mexico; at a later time, he tried to make an explanation of his conduct, and refuted the charges brought against him (see to Hamilton Stuart, December 21, 1845, this volume); but this unhappy effort to use diplomatic means to, effect a much desired object when he found himself helpless to use force, on account of utter bankruptcy of the treasury, remained a cudgel in the hands of his enemies for many years.
To WILLIAM CHRISTY 1
Private
Washington, 7th May, 1843. Your favors of the 5th and 22nd ultimo I thank you for them ; and from my
My dear Christy, are both before me.
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