The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 49
434 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Mississippi and the Independence of Texas 49
that he desired to assume no command himself: he had been
treated coldly, hut had a great many friends among the officers.
The army was as fine a body of men as he ever saw, but lacked
confidence in its management. "I will dispassionately do my
duty. I believe as the danger thickens, I can be of great use."
In his opinion Sam Houston had ruined the country, doing every-
thing he could to prevent a turn-out of the citizens; only great
prudence and firmness could save it. The Cherokees he believed
were at the bottom of the mischief. He concludes by mentioning
that he has bought 1280 acres of Poindexter-perhaps George
Poindexter is meant-and he has furthermore been promised
notes for some entries of land which will be very valuable.40
The inference is that while Huston was willing to, serve in the
ranks, he felt the times demanded an aggressive policy, and it is
not difficult to believe that Huston felt that he was the one to
carry out such a policy.
In January of the following year Huston was in Houston.
From there he writes Quitman that he is still in favor of a vig-
orous policy; he has no confidence in Rusk's doing anything, and
deplores Lam ar's temporizing policy. Though convinced that a
decided majority of both houses of the Texan Congress favored
his views, yet he would refrain from making a direct proposition
to that body. Of greater interest is Huston's proposal to place
a military colony on the Rio Grande of from five to ten thousand
men, if the Texas government would authorize him to negotiate
bonds for $500,000. "If news were to arrive that the French
blockade would shortly be raised, it would go like a flash." If
a force could not be put on the western frontier before another
year, the country would be lost.4' In April Huston was back in
Natchez; from this point he writes to Quitman to learn the prob-
ability of General Hamilton's making a loan to Texas. The lat-
ter is furthermore to enquire at Liverpool as to the disposition
of any large commercial house opening direct trade with Texas.42
In 1840 Huston rendered the new republic a service by winning
the battle of Plum Creek against the Indians. Kennedy states
that Huston incurred an expense of $40,000 in connection with
oIMS. Claiborne Correspondence.
4"Ibid.
42Ibid.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918, periodical, 1918; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101073/m1/55/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.