The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume IV

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225

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1843

of War and Marine, left here for Galveston a few days since, and will do himself the pleasure of visiting you. Since I left the Trinity I have not had the pleasure to hear from Mrs. Houston. Her health had been very bad. The babe and myself were the only two out of all the company that escaped sickness. How Mrs. Houston is to return home, I cannot divine. I have advised, if possible, that she should go to Gal- veston, if there is any steam boat conveyance. Our roads are in such a plight, that I apprehend that it will be almost impossible for her to return even from Houston to this place, although I · am informed that I have a tolerably genteel barouche at the island. You will find that I have despatched with as much expedition as possible our commissioners to Matamoros. I found it very difficult, indeed almost impossible, to get means to enable them to leave in discharge of their duties. There was no appropria- tion for the purpose; and what the honorable Congress will have to say about the matter, I cannot tell-though I have been assured from the persons who have been elected to Con- gress, that the body will be disposed to sustain the Executive in his policy. I have received a message in relation to my being more careful of items which come into possession of the Government, through the kindness of friends. You may be assured that the Govern- ment is not compromitted. That some speculations have been promulgated by certain officials as authentic matters, there is no doubt. I regret to find that there is a disposition on the part of some persons to reprehend and depreciate the agency which Her Majesty's Government and its officers have had in producing more kindly feelings between Texas and Mexico. I regard all such things as uncalled for on the part of our own people, and unkind , if not officious, by citizens of other Gov- ernments. These, though, are annoyances to which we have to submit. You may rest assured, my dear friend, that they will neither influence the policy of this government nor disturb the serenity of my feelings. Despatches from Colonel Ashbel Smith, both in relation to Her Majesty's Government, and that of the King of France, have been received, which are of the most gratifying character. Lord Aberdeen was exceedingly kind to Colonel Smith, and when he left London he was quite delighted with the reception and treatment which he had received from his Lordship. When

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