Lot 260
Houston, Sam (1793-1863) American politician and soldier, widely known for his role in bringing Texas into the United States. His victory at the Battle of San Jacinto secured the independence of Texas from Mexico. The only American to be elected governor of two different States, Texas and Tennessee. Houston was also the only Southern governor to oppose secession (which led to the outbreak of the American Civil War) and his decision to refuse an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy led to his removal from office by the Texas secession convention.
Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, 10½ x 7¾ in., on faint blue lined paper, Huntsville, Texas, October 18, 1859. To Hon. G.W. (George Washington) Paschal (1812-1878), Austin, Texas. Paschal was an intense union man and one of Sam Houston's supporters in opposition to secession. During the Civil War he was jailed, threatened by a mob, and held for trial by a court-martial due to reports of his Union sympathies. He feuded with John F. Marshall, editor of the Texas State Gazette, over the matter of reopening the slave trade in Texas (Texas was the last frontier of slavery in the United States), a measure that Paschal opposed. Houston informs Paschal about the current political climate. In full:
"My Dear Sir, I am here and of your last issue I hear them complain. They say you are too kind to Mr. [Senator Stephen A.] Douglas and fear that you are inclining to Squatter Sovereignty. They regard Douglas as the bane of National Democracy. Now for myself, I say let as little be said of politics as possible until the meeting of the Legislature. I was in Nacagdoches, when your issue came there, containing your challenge to Marshall to call out Reagan's correspondence. The east is not strong for Reagan. I declare that from this place, east & back again, I have heard but one man, that was favorable to Reagan. The people talk of Johnson & Smith for the Senate. Johnson will be the strongest man in my opinion. But of this we will say more, by & bye. I am anxious to see what Marshall has to say in reply to your call in relation to Reagan. I expect by the first or early in next month, with my family, to be at Burmingham, and remain there. I only intended to write you a memo when I began. To day I intend to start for Independence. Write to me, but for our sake dont touch Douglas with a fifty foot pole! Truly thine / Sam Houston." Large decorative signature with complex paraph below. Letter is lightly age toned and slightly faded.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
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| Realized $8,125 |
