Details
HOUSTON, SAM, 1793-1863, First President of the Republic of Texas. Autograph letter signed ("Sam Houston," with large flourish), to W.R.L. Ward, Independence, [Texas], 14 September 1854. 2 pages, 4to, 248 x 198mm. 9 3/4 x 7 13/16 in.), small strip of old mounting tissue beneath signature, otherwise in fine condition.
HOUSTON, VICTOR IN THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO, IN WHICH TEXAS WON ITS INDEPENDENCE, WRITES THAT IT HAS "HISTORY"
Houston was chosen to command Texas' provisional army in 1835 after the fall of the Alamo, and defeated Santa Anna decisively in the Battle of San Jacinto (21 April 1836) which gained independence; the same year he became the Republic's first President. Senator Houston responds to a request for his recollections of the historic battle: "...You are pleased to solicit information up[on] a subject, on which I never write. The events of the 21st of April 1836, have become matters of History, and for me to undertake, a sketch at this day, would seem to savor of egotism, or garrulity. So, my dear Sir, if you will come to the sunny South, and will find interest enough, to pass a winters night with me, I hope to have it in my power, to spin you some interesting yarns [of] the incidents of San Jacinto...."
Houston has perhaps the boldest and largest handwriting of any American historical figure of his time; the signature on the present letter is a particularly fine example.
HOUSTON, VICTOR IN THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO, IN WHICH TEXAS WON ITS INDEPENDENCE, WRITES THAT IT HAS "HISTORY"
Houston was chosen to command Texas' provisional army in 1835 after the fall of the Alamo, and defeated Santa Anna decisively in the Battle of San Jacinto (21 April 1836) which gained independence; the same year he became the Republic's first President. Senator Houston responds to a request for his recollections of the historic battle: "...You are pleased to solicit information up[on] a subject, on which I never write. The events of the 21st of April 1836, have become matters of History, and for me to undertake, a sketch at this day, would seem to savor of egotism, or garrulity. So, my dear Sir, if you will come to the sunny South, and will find interest enough, to pass a winters night with me, I hope to have it in my power, to spin you some interesting yarns [of] the incidents of San Jacinto...."
Houston has perhaps the boldest and largest handwriting of any American historical figure of his time; the signature on the present letter is a particularly fine example.