276
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
I calculate much upon the cowardice of our enemy & in a fight the command of this army would as a matter of necessity devolve upon men who are qualified to conduct it. Oblige me by acknowledging the receipt of this communication & point out any way in which I can be of service to you. I am, Sir, with much respect, &c. J. Hazard Pcrr:i• Col. Robt. Potter Harrisburg I should not be surprised if we are not ordered to retreat still further. We are ve1·y badly provided with breadstuff, not a barrel of flour in the army although there is flour in abundance at Brazoria and the steamboat was in our possession ten days before the Mexicans reached the bank of the river. [Endorsed]: From J. Hazard Perry to Col Potter, April 9, 1836. I was aware that Perry was a spy sent by Potter and was a fit associate with him. H.
To BENJAMIN SLOATL
·washington, 2nd March, 1844.
To Benjamin Sloat, Esq., Sir-As the agent O! Torrey & Brothers, you have liberty hereby to sell ammunition to friendly Indians, in such quantities as will enable them to kill game to feed their women and children, and prevent their suffering from want and hunger. You will not sell it only in small quantities of a half pound or a pound to one man; and this rule you will observe under penalty of the law, unless special permission is extended to you by the government. Done at Washington, the day and date above written. Sam Houston. 1 The original document is to be found in Papers on Indian Affairs, and a copy in Executive Record Book, No. 40, 342, Texas State Library. Another copy hangs on the walls of the Sam Houston Room, Governor's Mansion, Austin, Texas. This copy has a typewritten endorsement as follows: "Washington on the Brazos River was the capital of Texas. The above copy of a permit to sell ammunition to the Indians bears the signature of President Houston. Presented to Mrs. William Pettus Hobby for the Sam Houston Room, Executive Mansion by Mrs. Ike Barton McFarland, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution." Although Houston's signature with rubric is clear and plain, it, too, is a copy, according to the opinion of this annotator.
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