WRITINGS OF SA;\I HOUSTON, 1845
419
so far succeeded, that her Britannic Majesty's Minister has ob- tained the pledge of President Houston, to use his best endeavors to defeat the measure." This statement is utterly untrue cind without any fourulation! For a year past I have neither seen nor corresponded with her Majesty's Minister,-nor am I at this time informed as to the position of our public affairs with the nations of the earth. What "incontestible evidence" has been "furnished," or by whom, is not material to the issue. It ought to have come out under the caption of "astounding disclosures," which has at various times and in various forms appeared in the opposition prints, coupled with charges made against me of "treason, b1~ibery, and co1~rup- tion" by letter write1:s from Galveston, to newspapers in the States. Nor did these multiplied slanders fail for want of an endor~er at Galveston, that the verriest slanders [sic] was a "re- sponsible person." "The responsible person" is not unknown. He was refused an office, and became a tool to the basest faction for the basest purposes. Had the above charge been calculated to affect me as an in- dividual alone, I would not have given it the slightest notice; for I have permitted for years weekly and daily slanders to be propagated against me until the slanders with their "responsible" authors are forgotten. This case is an exception, because it is so designed, as I suppose, to excite, and, so far as possible, to mislead the public mind, and give employment to reckless demagogues. If I apprehend rightly the present condition of our affairs, it is one which will require more calmness and wisdom than excitement and passion. The former will improve and elevate nations as well as individuals, whilst ~he latter if indulged, will have a contrary effect. My future endeavors will be as sincere in the discharge of my duties as a private citizen, as they were faithful and untiring in performing the duties of official station, when enjoying the suffrage of my countrymen. The growth, peace, and prosperity of Texas can bear witness to my zeal, and should render as- surance that I will ever feel an abiding interest in her welfare and destiny. Your friend, Sam Houston 1 Texas Ncitional Registe,· (Washington, Texas), l\lay 22, 18-15. This letter was taken from The Civilian, a newspaper published at Galveston by Hamilton Stuart. The Texas Natio1u1l Register in copying the letter did
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