iii
373
'WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
the Texas navy on July 19, 1842; and during the last days of September, 1844, he was commissioned to 1·elieve Lieutenant William A. Tennison who had charge of the Texas navy in ordinary. See E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Journcils of the-Senate, Republic of Texas, 1836-1845, 226-227; also see The Q1uwte1·ly, Texas State Historical Association, XIII, 114, 119. Also see Houston to William C. Brashear, January 7, 1843, Vol. III, pp. 269- 270; Charles B. Snow to Houston, Washington City, April 2, 1858, says that Brashear died in Washington City in 1848.
To MRS. HousToN 1 Washington, [Texas], 28th Sept. 1844.
My Dearest, Your favor is so kind and grateful to me I will not leave without sending an answer to it. I will not tell you of my regret at your illness and sorrow. My heart bleeds! Duty and necessity alone compels my absence, and I find myself compelled to visit the falls but not the Treaty Ground. The rain has ·detained me tho' Dr. Hil1 2 (who is quite recovered) has gone ahead to the Treaty. He sends every expression of regard to the family, and some particularly to our young protegee. It may be twenty-five days from [this time] before I embrace you and the family.... You may fancy what I felt, and feel for poor Sam at our separation. I thought when I told you adieu, that I had felt the last pang of parting, but I was mistaken. Today I feel right well, only the Quinine and ... [torn], which I have taken for the ague, and its effects have rendered by hand so faulty that I can hardly write a legible hand. Tomorrow I hope to start on, the weather is clear and cold. Dr. Jones, I suppose, is elected by some 1700 votes. I am grateful that you were pleased with my letter to Santa Anna. 3 I would write more, but for the state of my nerves. I have been very sick since my return when I was not able to leave my room. All [our friends make] enquiries for you and Sam and the family. Your last letter, Love, I will take with me, and peruse it often!!! Dearest, give my Love to Mother and family. Press our dear Boy to your bosom and tell him it is for me. Mr. Miller;' and all our friends send a thousand kind wishes. Tell Sam I will try and get an antelope skin for him ... [torn] in taste. I am ever thy devoted Husband, Houston Mrs. M. L. Houston [Addressed in upper left-hand corner] : ·washington, Sept. 30, [in right-hand corner is the frank signature] : From Sam Hous-
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