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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836

Your valor and heroism have proved you unrivalled. Let not contempt for the enemy throw you off your gu~rd. Vigilance is the first duty of a soldier, and glory the proudest reward of his toils. You have patiently endured privations, hardships, and difficul- ties unappalled; you have encountered odds of two to one of the enemy against you, and borne yourselves, in the onset and con- flict of battle, in a manner unknown in the annals of modern war- fare. While an enemy to your independence remains in Texas the work is incomplete; but when liberty is firmly established by your patience and your valor, it will be fame enough to say, "I was a member of the army of San Jacinto." In taking leave of my brave comrades in arms, I can not sup- press the expression of that pride which I so justly feel in having had the honor to command them in person, nor will I withhold the tribute of my warmest admiration and gratitude for the promptness with which my orders were executed, and union maintained through the army. At parting my heart embraces you with gratitude and affection. SAM HOUSTON, Commander-in-Chief. 1 Crane, Life and Selected Litemry Remains of Sa.11t J-lousto11, 108--109. A. M. Williams, Sam Hot!ston and the Wa,· of lnde1>ende11ce in Texas, 210- 211. Niles Register, Vol. 50, p. 294. C. E. Lester, Sam Houston, 139-140. Bdwin L. Sabin, With Sam Houston in Texas, 312. John J. Lynn, Fifty Yea1·s in Texas, 211-212. Arkansas Advocate, June 3, 1836. Arka11sas Gazette, June 7, 1836. The reports of this letter made by Crane, Williams, Sabin, and Lynn, also that of the Arkansas Gazette, have been compared and are found to be the same in all respects. This copy was made from Crane's report of the letter.

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To JAMES MoRGAN 1 On Board the Sehr Flora, 11th May 1836

Dear Col- l am in great press- you can relieve me- your presence here will do it. Sam Houston. By H. P. Brewster P. Secy 1 Morgan Pape1·s, Rosenbet·g Library, Galveston, Texas.