WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
409
prosperity. In great part, this arises from the assurance that you will administer the affairs of Government with equal ability and capacity with which they have been conducted for the last three years, and I hope you will receive from the Representatives of the people, a more cordial and honest support than any accorded to me by them, during my administration. That you may not only be successful, but more glorious in your administration than any predecessor, is my ardent wish and desire. As a citizen, I will not only be gratified, but a beneficiary of the result, should I live to witness it, and if not, I hope my posterity, and those endeared to me, will enjoy the gratification. Many were the kind and respectful inquiries made for you, and it afforded me the greatest pleasure to respond to them. If I can judge of any thing rightly, my opinion is, that you will derive from the people the warmest support and confidence. With this, you will, I trust, be enabled to advance our country at least one quarter of a century in three years, to what it would have been had your successor been taken from his "colt training." What a pity that would have been! I hope, for my country's honor, such an act of cruelty will never be inflicted upon poor "Ned." It is possible that I may be at Washington during the session of Congress,· and will enjoy the pleasure of seeing yourself and the dignitaries of the nation again. An incident occurred as I came home, which I must tell you, and the cause of it. Capt. Black asked me "if you were going to appoint Pierpont~ Collector of Galveston." I told him I had never heard a suggestion of the kind. He replied that he knew Pierpont to be dishonest. I promised to say this, and it is done. Had I solicited the con- tinuance of any officer in the Republic, it would have been Major Cocke. 3 This I would have done with regard to his own merit and qualifications, as well as a desire for your success. The reve- nue arising from Galveston is the source and stream of the T"reasury; without this, the Government cannot be supported. I solicit you to hold on to Major Cocke. Take my word for it, I will not annoy you with applications. Money matters gave me more trouble in my administration than all others. With them right, you can have no trouble of serious character. Please write to me by Houston, to the care of Capt. Snell,~ nnd he will send by some private conveyance. Salute Col. Anderson,:1 your Cabin€t, and particula.r friends. Thine truly, Sam Houston
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