307
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1844
she has the undoubted right to act for herself, so that she does not infringe upon the rights of other powers, and all statesmen must perceive this to be her true situation. These reflections, I offer hastily as they present themselves to me upon the occasion of the moment. I thank you for the papers kindly sent to me; and I assure you with sincere and lively pleasure that Mrs. H. is much im- proved in health. Sam is robust-as a beaver. Mrs. H. joins me in salutations of 1·egard to you and wishes for your speedy and entire recovery. Truly your friend, Sam Houston [Rubric] '"Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 521-522, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams. "That is, state their attitude toward the annexation of Texas to the United States.
TO ROBERT C. CAMPBELL 1
City of Houston, April 25th, 1844.
To Robert C. Campbell, Esq. Sir,- Today a petition was presented to me, soliciting a pardon in the case of Wilson, convicted of larceny, signed by you and other petitioners. The petition does not set forth that the convict was deprived of a fair and impartial trial; nor is it represented that the disclosure of any facts subsequent, has taken place, which, if they had been known, at the trial, might, in probability, have produced a different verdict from that which was J'endered. If either had been the case, it would have produced reason for the Executive action and might have furnished grounds for a pardon. T'he situation of the family of the convict is also presented as a ground for pardon. This, as a man, the Executive may both feel and deplore; but, as an ·officer, he can not admit as cause to base his action upon. This would be requiring him to regard the individual relations of the culprit more than he had done for himself and family. In the opinion of the Executive, the findings of the jury and the decision of a court ought not to be reversed on slight grounds or for trival reasons. The disgrace that attaches is in the conviction and not in the execution of the sentence. The shame and infamy cannot be cancelled by the Executive, while the record remains. Could
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