406
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844,
been retained in prison. This act on the part of your Excellency, so full of humanity and good feeling, did not disappoint me; and the only regret with which it is accompanied arises from the knowledge that you Excellency has thought proper to withhold the same kindness from the unhappy Jose Antonio Navarro. The lives of the most illustrious have not always been free from misfortune; and certainly the humble individual to whom I allude affords a conspicuous opportunity for the display of that mag- nanimity which exalts the great and secures the approbation of the enlightened world. Feeling assured that neither your Excellency nor the Mexican people can, in any degree be prejudiced by his liberation, I ap- proach your Excellency as a Private citizen unconnected with government, and ask, as a personal favor deserving of my sincere and lasting gratitude, that your Excellency will give the wretched Navarro his liberty and restore him to his bereaved and suffering family. - I cannot close this note without tendering to your Excellency, my unaffected condolence in the bereavement which you have had the misfortune to sustain by the loss of your late most excellent spouse. With my entire confidence in the disposition of your Excellency to grant me the favor which I ask, and with assurances of my high personal appreciation and regard, I remain very truly Your Excellency's most obedient Servant, Sam Houston [Rubric] "'Houston's Private Executive Record Book," pp. 569-570, courtesy of Mr. Franklin Williams.
TO ANDREW JACKSON 1
Washington, Texas, Deer. 13th 1844. Venerated Friend, When retiring from the cares of Office, I cannot forego the pleasure of making you one more communica- tion, and rendering you my acknowledgements for your multiplied kindnesses. The moment I received your last letters, I did not respond to them, because I wished to await the further develop- ments which have since taken place. I announce to you with pleasure that Texas is free from all involvements and pledges; and her future course, I trust, will be marked by a proper regard for her true interests. My decided
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