WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1845 433 and intimately; and I confess my inability to do justice to my own feelings in rendering, on this occasion, the acknowledgment which I do so fully owe them. · I am now a private citizen. I have retired from the cares and honors of official station, to which the approving voice of my countrymen had more than once called me. That I proved myself a faithful servant of the people, their continued confidence as- sures me. It is an assurance that more than compensates me for all my humble services, and fills me with enduring gratitude. For more than thirty years, I have been in some degree the object of scrutiny and observation. My life has not been devoted to Texas alone, nor have all its toils been endured here. Whether it has been useful, I leave with those I have served to determine. I was once young-when my bosom swelled with emulation, and I anticipated much from deserving the confidence of my fellow citizens. The meridian of life has come upon me, and my only ambition is to maintain my present position, and in the decline of life retain that joy and tranquility which arises alone from good actions. If I were to judge from the manifestation of approbation which is accorded me by my fellow citizens, I realize much solace.-! experience everything which is calculated to inspire gratitude in this bosom. It is impossible for any man passing through the varied scenes of life which I have done, to secure the approbation of all, though he might richly merit their confidence. Rewarded and respected by the substantial.portion of the community, I am nevertheless aware that I have been denounced by many that have been dis- appointed. Circumstances have presented me as a target to be shot at by hundreds, whose object has been to drag me down to a level with themselves, without possessing that noble ambition which should always be employed in elevating their own char- acters. Their avowed griefs they have imputed to me as the cause. If they were expectants of office, I had not patronage by which they could be satisfied. If they were. demagogues, I re- garded them as enemies to the country. If the.ir reputation was not fair, I believed that offices could be filled by better men. In sweeping denunciations, they have sought to retaliate upon me. Their denunciations have been general, without facts and their charges unfounded in truth. These charges are not confined to the continent of America alone. What notoriety they may derive from their efforts, I do not pretend to say. They have obtained acquittance from honest fame, and never will be again charged with renewing the connection. They cannot envy me; because
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