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Property of the Brooklyn Historical Society, sold to benefit the collections fund
HOUSTON, Samuel (1793-1863), Senator, Governor of Texas. Autograph letter signed ("Sam Houston"), to unidentified woman, Washington, 4 January 1859. 1 page, 8vo, paper loss in lower left corner, not affecting text.
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HOUSTON, Samuel (1793-1863), Senator, Governor of Texas. Autograph letter signed ("Sam Houston"), to unidentified woman, Washington, 4 January 1859. 1 page, 8vo, paper loss in lower left corner, not affecting text.
"I WILL LEAVE THE SENATE IN MARCH, NOT TO RETURN"
The great Texas hero takes leave of national office on the eve of the Civil War. Here he responds to a constituent request: "Dear Madam: I have referred your letter to Mr. A. H. Evans of this city, an agent of claims. I will leave the Senate in March, not to return. I think a pension may be got at the Pension office. I will see Mr. Evans on the subject. You can write to him." Houston's pro-Union positions during the 1850s cost him political support among die-hard slavery supporters in Texas. The legislature made it clear they would not re-elect him to another term in 1859. Yet in December he returned to the Texas governorship by defeating slavery hardliner Hardin R. Runnels. Houston tried valiantly but unsuccessfully to block Texas secession. When he refused to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy in 1861 he was removed from office.
"I WILL LEAVE THE SENATE IN MARCH, NOT TO RETURN"
The great Texas hero takes leave of national office on the eve of the Civil War. Here he responds to a constituent request: "Dear Madam: I have referred your letter to Mr. A. H. Evans of this city, an agent of claims. I will leave the Senate in March, not to return. I think a pension may be got at the Pension office. I will see Mr. Evans on the subject. You can write to him." Houston's pro-Union positions during the 1850s cost him political support among die-hard slavery supporters in Texas. The legislature made it clear they would not re-elect him to another term in 1859. Yet in December he returned to the Texas governorship by defeating slavery hardliner Hardin R. Runnels. Houston tried valiantly but unsuccessfully to block Texas secession. When he refused to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy in 1861 he was removed from office.