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'WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, ·1845
Texas which has heretofore claimed but little notice, but which seems to me not unimportant. When the first colonists under Mr. Stephen F. Austin, arrived in Texas, they found herds of wild cattle on the Brazos and its tributary streams. There was no tradition of their origin, nor has anything satisfactory on the subject yet been ascertained. They have receded as the settlements advanced, and are now above the falls of the Brazos, and principally upon Little River. They are of a brindled or reddish color, and are represented, by those best acquainted with them, as wilder, and, when wounded, much more dangerous than the buffalo. The males have occa- sionally attached themselves to herds of tame cattle, and have become very gentle. Calves have been caught by our pioneer settlers and reared. The cross is said to be an improvement upon our common stock, imparting to their offspring an appearance, in color and proportions, of the wild cattle. The males, I have been assured by hunters and other persons, as large as the finest Durhams. I have seen work oxen, said to be half breeds, much larger than any others which have fallen under my observation in the United States, or in Texas. For years past, I have endeavored to procure the full bloods; but in consequence of other duties I could not give the attention necessary to assure success. I will now renew mi· exertions with increased interest, and I hope it will be in my power to produce a cross of Durhams with the original Texas cow. Should I be fortunate in my efforts, I shall be happy to apprise you of the result. Sam Houston. [Addressed]: A. B. Allen. 2 'The American Agricultm·ist, V. 94. ~A. B. Allen was the editor of the American Agric11ltm·ist at the time of the writing of this letter. A SPEECH MADE AT THE METHODIST CHURCH, HOUSTON, DECEMBER 17, 1845 1 Fellow Citizens: I have regretted the circumstances which· have deprived me of the pleasure of yielding an earlier com- pliance with the invitation so kindly extended me by the citizens of this city and county to address them at this place I feel proud of this repeated evidence of the confidence and regard of a portion of my countrymen who have known me so long
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