WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1821-1832
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Erwin and myself was a home affair ... was given, because 1 conceived the whole mess of a political character, and being [among my] constituents, felt that it should be inter [fered in by] no one living out of the state. My [course not] to wound your feelings or to court your [enmity] was deemed the most advis- able, and [the] one necessary to be used. I had hoped you [would] have enquired no further. Since you [propose to ob]ject, how- ever, this is my answer :-That [other objec] tions did exist, and they were these: that [because of the] peculiar circumstances of the case and [because of my] character and standing, I did not consider [taking the] liberty to acknowledge a·ny agency of [your- self in the] affair. The concluding part of your letter is wrong. [Col.] McGregor did not use the language you have [credited] to him. His re- mark was this: "I know [nothing of] him (Col. Smith)-! have heard him spoken [of/as a] gentlemen." This, I am advised, was the remark made by him to Gen. White. Sam Houston. Col. John Smith, T. 1 Nat·ional Banner and Nashville Whig, September 13, 1826. This letter appeared as Exhibit C, among th!!\ correspondence presented by Houston in his address "To the Public," Sleptember 12, 1826. The brackets in this copy indicate that the newspaper from which it was taken is somewhat mutilated, the right-hand margin having been trimmed too closely by the binders. There being no unmutilated copy of the paper available, the partially mutilated or omitted words have been supplied in the light of the context and the amount of space to be filled. This letter from Houston was in reply to the following from John Smith, T. 8th September, 1826. Sir: To correct some errors that are afloat, I wish to know whether you have assigned any other reasons against my acting as the friend of J. P. E. Esq. than that of my residing in another state. You[r] friend, Col. M'Gregor, assigned that, with the locality of your difference, as the only 1·eason, and in the presence of many said that he considered me a gentleman. Your reply is expected without delay. Jno. Smith, T. Gen. S. Houston. To THE PUBLIC, SEPTEMBER 12, 1826 1 I had no disposition to trouble the public with any thing in ref- erence to my private or personal disputes. These were matters for the parties differing to arrange and settle themselves. John
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