Details
HOUSTON, SAM, President of Texas. Autograph letter signed ("Sam Houston," with flourish) as President of Texas, to Ashbel Smith, Surgeon General of Texas, "At Mr. A. Cherry's, 80 miles from Houston," 10 July 1838. 3 pages, folio, 325 x 210mm. (12 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.), integral address leaf in Houston's hand, a few tiny holes and trifling marginal repairs, otherwise in good condition.
THE PRESIDENT SUMMONS THE SURGEON GENERAL: "I MUST HAVE AN ABLE PHYSICIAN"
In the second year of his first term as Texas's president, Sam Houston writes the Surgeon General, imploring him to come to the aid of a stricken young man, a son of a deceased military colleague. "Mr. [Reuben] Ross has been unwell for three days. He was first attacked with Diarrhea, and was not bled until the 3rd day. He mends none....I feel great solicitude on his account, and therefore send for you with a request that you will if possible come forthwith, in company with Mr. Johnson, the bearer; who will show you the nearest way to where I will be. Today I will remove Mr. Ross...ten miles distant from here...If you cannot come, send Tucker, for I know Dr. Irion cannot come. If you can come, I feel confident that you will at all hazards...'Dr. Houston' feels satisfied that this case 'is over his hooks.' I will hail your arrival. The distance is great to visit a Patient -- but the Youth is far distant from the widowed Mother, and [he is a] relick of a Gallant man...I have been unwell, but am now well. Today I will see the Indians! I may bleed Mr. Ross today if he has much fever, and the pain in his stomach not abate. I pray you to salute my friends...I pray you commend me to all worthy friends, and to God I pray for health, and a fair wind for the journey. Let Thurston send on the Documents as desired, and...some 50 copies of the Communication relative to the Indians on my Desk... Please bring my miniature and my harts-horn Phial. If the Harts-horn is out, I wish it replenished. Bring some Tea from my house with you or if you are sick, and can't come send these things -- I must have an able Physician..."
Reuben Ross was the Captain of Houston's volunteer guard.
THE PRESIDENT SUMMONS THE SURGEON GENERAL: "I MUST HAVE AN ABLE PHYSICIAN"
In the second year of his first term as Texas's president, Sam Houston writes the Surgeon General, imploring him to come to the aid of a stricken young man, a son of a deceased military colleague. "Mr. [Reuben] Ross has been unwell for three days. He was first attacked with Diarrhea, and was not bled until the 3rd day. He mends none....I feel great solicitude on his account, and therefore send for you with a request that you will if possible come forthwith, in company with Mr. Johnson, the bearer; who will show you the nearest way to where I will be. Today I will remove Mr. Ross...ten miles distant from here...If you cannot come, send Tucker, for I know Dr. Irion cannot come. If you can come, I feel confident that you will at all hazards...'Dr. Houston' feels satisfied that this case 'is over his hooks.' I will hail your arrival. The distance is great to visit a Patient -- but the Youth is far distant from the widowed Mother, and [he is a] relick of a Gallant man...I have been unwell, but am now well. Today I will see the Indians! I may bleed Mr. Ross today if he has much fever, and the pain in his stomach not abate. I pray you to salute my friends...I pray you commend me to all worthy friends, and to God I pray for health, and a fair wind for the journey. Let Thurston send on the Documents as desired, and...some 50 copies of the Communication relative to the Indians on my Desk... Please bring my miniature and my harts-horn Phial. If the Harts-horn is out, I wish it replenished. Bring some Tea from my house with you or if you are sick, and can't come send these things -- I must have an able Physician..."
Reuben Ross was the Captain of Houston's volunteer guard.