Houston v1

WRITINGS OF SA.i\I HOUSTON, 1836

405

To DAVID G. BuRNET 1

Head Quarters Camp West of Brasos 11th Apl. 1836.

To His Exy. D. G. Burnet, President.2 Sir, I have the honor of presen [ting] to your notice Mr. Jos. Powell,3 who is just from the interior, and who brings important information. Mr. P- is anxious to render the country his services, where he can be most useful, and I have the pleasure of referring him to your special consideration. Mr. P- is a gentle- man of great activity, and perfect knowledge of the Mexican character- I refer you to him for all information: as well as to your civilities! P. S. The Secy of War bids me add his consideration in behalf of Mr. Powell. Sam Houston [ Addressed] : To His Exy D. G. Burnet President Texas by Mrl Jos. Powell [ Endorsed] : Genl Houston to Pres. Burnet Ap 11th 1836 1 Army Pa7Jcrs, Texas State Library. 2 See the Dictionary of American Biogravhy, III, 292-293. 3 John J. Lynn, The Reminiscences of Fifty Y~ars in Texas, 303, speaks of Joseph Powell as being a resident of Austin's Colony in 1832. Also see E. C. Barker (ed.), The A11stin Papers, II, 648, 1043, and compare these letters with that of Houston to David Thomas, April 11, 1836. Joseph Powell had been for some years, prior to 1835, a trader in Mexico. To HENRY W. KARNES 1 Headquarters Camp West of Brasos 11th April, 1836 ARMY ORDERS to Captain Henry Karnes. 2 Capt. H. Karnes will have the Horse Guard and Cavallo-yard, and in his absence he will leave the proper directions for their safety and management. This is ordered inasmuch as the guard is relieved every day. It is hoped that the most perfect harmony will exist ·in all parts of the army, as it is for the common wel- fare of the country. The greatest attention is requested to the horses, and no means should be omitted to preserve them. Sam Houston Commander-in-Chief. 1 Sa1n Houston Lctte1·s, Texas State Library. 2 Henry Wax Karnes (September 8, 1812-August 16, 1840) was born in Tennessee, but while he was still an infant his parents moved to Arkansas. The father of Karnes was a hunter and trapper, and the boy was trained