WRITINGS OF SAM }";:ousTON, 1844
333
he removed from San Augustine to Clarksville, in Red River County, and it was from that district that he was elected to the United States Congress in 1850; and it was there, in 1853, that he was accidently wounded by the discharge of a gun. He never fully regained his health from the shock he received, due to the amputation of his leg without the use of anesthesia. He was opposed to secession, but believed that a war between the states was inevitable, and being a devoted Texan and an ardent Southerner, he felt keenly his helpless condition when the South sent out the call to arms. Although the Confederate Government sent him a colonel's commission with orders to raise a regiment, his health forbade the undertaking, and he died, April 3, 1862. He was buried in the city cemetery at Hempstead, Texas. See James Lynch, Bench and Bar of Texas, 178-182; J. H. Davenport, The Stir,reme Co1,rt of Texas, 17; Dixon and Kemp, Heroes of San Jacinto, 84-85; George Crocket, Two Centuries in East Texas, 241.
To THOMAS G. WEsTERN 1 Trinity River, Liberty County, June 25, 1844.
To Maj. Thomas G. Western, &c., &c., &c. Sir,- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter by yesterday's express; and so far as your statement goes in relation to Col. Jack C. Hays, 3 in his rencontre with the Indians (whatever tribe they may be) I find every thing to approve and nothing to condemn. This is now the ninth day that I have been prostrate with fever. I am, at this moment, relieved of it; and I hope it will not again recur. My attack has been very violent; and I fear it will be several days before I recover my strength. Intelligence has reached me that several hunting parties of Indians are engaged in hunting below the line, and several within the settlements; and, as you are apprised, without any authority from the government or its agents. It is improper that such a course of conduct should be tolerated in them, unless in con- formity with the law regulating intercourse. You are aware that they have been admonished on the subject; and this dis- regard of duty on their part requires that prompt measures should now be taken with them. Their mingling among the whites, without authority, or coming below the lower Cross Tim- bers, in parties, unless conducted by some white man, with authority from the agent; as well as trading with the whites contrary to law, are circumstances well calculated to destroy that peace and harmony which we are so anxious to establish. Jim Ned, as well as other leaders of hunting and trading parties, who are acting in violation of law, by coming below the
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