WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
303
if some five or six individuals would ride throughout the Republic and advocate independence upon a guarantee of France and England, annexation would be rejected. This is a subject that I have not named to anyone, for we have not the requisite guar- antees; and we have now more subjects for discussion than are profitable or agreeable. Ere this, matters must have assumed some positive character, and so far as the fate of Texas is de- pendent upon annexation, the matter will in all probability be at rest before this letter can reach you. If it should be so, "We must be up and doing while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work." The Indian treaty, I have no doubt, will succeed well, and so soon as I can take Mrs. Houston and Sam to Trinity and leave them, I will return to Washington and receive the chiefs if they come down as invited. Mrs. Houston unites with me in kind regards to you, as well as to General H. and Mr. V [ an] Z[andt] and his lady. Mrs. H [ouston] has not enjoyed good health since you left us; but I think she is improving since last winter. Truly and sincerely thine, Sam Houston [Rubric] To Hon.W. D. Miller, "\Vashington City, D. C. "'Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 517-518, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams.
"See Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 422, 423. 3 Acting Secretary of State of the United States.
To ANSON JoNEsl
City of Houston, 20th Ap:til, 1844.
My Dear Jones,- .. The "Neptune" was to be in today, and I do not care to leave here until I know what news she brings. I am weary of waiting upon good news from Washington. I am curious to know what move we will next have to make on the chess-board. I send you the answers which I wrote, and sent by the " New York." You will keep them until I can get home. By them you can see what I deem proper, if movements are not soon made, and made as I think they ought to be. Our situation does not allow us to trifle. I write myself for the reasons given. Our course is plain and straightforward.
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