The following letter is printed from a photogravure of the original sent by Mr. James L. Norris to Judge John H. Reagan, who has placed it among the archives of the Association:
Nashville 30th Mar 1823. My dear Governor
Yours of the 11th Inst has come to hand by this days mail, and I beg leave to assure you of the heart felt pleasure which I experience from the perusal of your kind &friendly letters, at all times.
You have not received my last letter, but will find it at New Canton on your return home. It is some time since I learned you were at the agency, and it was announced here, that you had been appointed agent: I was happy to hear it, believing as I did that there was no person in the Union who cou'd more ably discharge the duties of the office. The salary is equal to any office in the gift of this state, and from my idea of the life of an agent—you cou'd meditate with good advantage, that state of being compared to which all things else can be of no avail, as they are finite and temporal, while it is infinite, and Eternal. Solitude is the situation in which we can best ascertain our own hearts. There we derive no reflection from others, but are taught to make enquiry of ourselves. There we can examine ourselves in the abstract—and draw conclusions, unbiased by passion, totally independent of the prejudice of others. We can read the Scriptures, and pursue their preceps.
But I cannot pretend to recommend any course to you; you have become a candidate for the senate, and I did anticipate much pleasure in seeing you, and spending some time with you; at Murfreesboro. If you do not accept the agency (for I have no doubt but you will receive the app't) I will yet expect to see you. As for myself I have no opposition as yet for congress, and trust I will have none. I am on the alert, shou'd any opposition arise.
You wou'd dislike that any difference shou'd take place between your “political sons” and no one wou'd deprecate the event more than myself. But I apprehend a coolness on part of Maj G—m[.] I am not satisfied of the fact, and will make every allowance until I ascertain the truth[.] I never quit a friend until I see a disinclination on his part to be friendly with me[.] I dearly love my friends because they have been everything to me[.] I part with them as the Miser does his treasure with anguish and regret[.] Therefore I will calmly await the event. I wish no hint of this matter!
Will you please state to me the probable quantity of land, within the chartered limits of this State, to which the Indian title is not extinguished, and the probable amount of money it wou'd bring if sold. I wish this information now, if you please. May all felicity, and every success present and future be yours. Unalterably thy friend
Sam Houston. Gov Jos McMinn.
How to cite:
"LETTER FROM SAM HOUSTON ", Volume 007, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 72 - 73. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v007/n1/article_6.html
[Accessed Mon Nov 23 12:26:42 CST 2009]
