Houston v1

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1828

124

served as captain of a volunteer company. From 1817 to 1830 he served as n State Senator, and was a member of the Virginia Convention of 1829- 1830 as champion of the White Basis party. He removed his residence to Richmond in 1824. Appleton, Cyclopaedid of A me1·ican Biogmvhy, III, 441. scolonel John Wilson Campbell (February 23, 1782-June 7, 1833), jurist, statesman, soldier, was a strong Jackson man, but was not an intense par- tisan. He was more of a statesman than a military man, although he se1·ved throughout the War of 1812. Registe,· of D<>bates, 19th Congress, 1st Sess., col. 2413. Dictiona1·y of American Biogra.71hy, Ill, 459-460. Appleton, Cyclo- vaedia of America1~ Biogmphy, I, 515.

TO CHAPMAN JOHNSON 1

Nashville, 20th Feb. 1828. Sir: In the address presented by you to the anti-Jackson con- vention of Virginia, I find the following passage: "That mercy and humanity may unite, with the offended law and constitution, in accusing-General Jackson of being unmindful of their voice, and in refusing to his laurel crown the rays of true glory, will be acknowledged by impartial posterity, when they review the Indian campaigns- and especially when they read the stories* 2 of the cold-blooded massacres at the Horse- shoe." In so far as the political import of the expressions are con- cerned, I have neither the right nor the intention to make them the subject of correspondence with you.. But you must be sen- :::ible that their disparaging reflection cannot be confined to the distinguished patriot at whom they are pointed. They cast a stigma on the courage and humanity of the officers and men who fought the action, and who hoped, in their efforts to achieve a victory for their country, to gain a reputation free from dis- grace. It cannot be necessary to remind you, that the troops of Tennessee constituted the force under General Jackson in the battle of the Horse-shoe; and that under the same commander, the same troops rendered services which received the plaudits of the nation, and the thanks of Congress. These testimonials, as patriots and soldiers, they valued, b€cause they are not conscious that they were undeserved. But if the charge which you have preferred, or repeated, can be sustained, ind€lible reproach must take the place of national gratitude. Having though in an humble station, shared the dangers, or, as you appear to think, the crimes of my fellow citizrns, in the battle of the Horse-shoe - being ~onnected to them in the ties of pers'onal friendship, ·and senti- ments of political gratitude and respect, I feel myself authorized