WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
355
Although President at this time, on the 9th of Deer next, I shall cease to be a public officer, and return to the walks of private life to mingle again with my fellow citizens in the enjoyment of perfect equality. If my country is to prosper under the guidance of a chief Magistrate, I hope to share in that prosperity and if it is unfor- tunate or misdirected in its policy, I must participate also in its adversity Therefore I have a right to feel a solicitude for its success. In your letter to me you refer to one which Gen. Burleson has published, and in which you state he has expressed for me "a high personal regard" and that he is in favor of some of the leading measures of my administration; and you call upon me to know whether Gen. Burleson has since my elevcition to the p1·esi- dential chctir given that supvort to my aclministrat-ion which I had a ri-ght to expect [?·om the second officer in the Revublic? Your express desire has called my attention to the letter of Gen. Burleson which I had not previously read I was not dis- pleased however upon the perusal of his letfer to ascertain that he entertained for me a high personal regard. Circumstances however have not thrown us much together. I always found him associated with men opposed to me personally and politically. In 1840 after overtaking some fugitive Cherokees on Pecan bayou and capturing some women and children, amongst other trophies he took "the Bowl's" chapeau or hat as it was called, which he sent to me-through Mr. Lamar's Adjutant General, with a message to the effect that he sent me my brother "the Bowles" hat which I had presented him. I never did present it. Having the kindest feelings for Gen. Burleson I did not arraign it as an act of disrespect to a member of Congress representing the people of Texas, I have uniformly ti:eated him with personal respect, and flatter myself that I deserve his personal regard. During the last session of Congress I had the pleasure of meeting him but twice & then in the streets. He did not visit me. This however diq not on my part create any personal dislike to him; and I accounted for it on the ground, that at an early day of the session as President of the Senate he had, in his place, given a casting vote which imputed to me, as the Executive of the country the highest offences and required me to recall a bearer of dispatches to Washington City and submit them to the exam- ination and action of Congress a thing unheard of in any Government on earth.
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