Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/380

 effort. But the marauding incursions which have heretofore characterized your molestation, will only deserve the contempt of honorable minds.

, January 31, 1843.


 * —A multiplicity of concerns has prevented me from writing oftentimes to you since I had the pleasure of seeing you in Tennessee. It has not been for a want of inclination; nor has it been that I believed it would be considered irksome by you to peruse my letters. The many and continued regards which you have kindly evinced toward me for the last twenty-seven years, and the undiminished confidence reposed in me, are circumstances which have instructed me in the assurance that you entertained for me that solicitude which will induce sufficient care for me to desire a knowledge of the success which may betide me as an individual and a man engaged in the amelioration and improvement of the condition of mankind.

No one can more understandingly appreciate such efforts than yourself, who have been engaged for more than half a century in the most arduous labors, and constantly opposed by obstacles of every variety of character. You have surmounted all, and in retirement enjoy a nation's gratitude for the matchless benefits which your forecast and patriotism have conferred upon it; and to this is added the admiration of mankind! You are truly rich in earthly blessings; and I most devoutly hope that the great Dispenser of heavenly rewards will grant you an everlasting recompense.

I have often reflected upon the trials through which you have passed, and admired the firmness with which you met and triumphed over opposition. Recently I have seen from your pen a manly and conclusive vindication of your conduct during the defense of New Orleans and subsequent events. If the Kentuckian has any shame, he has abundant reason to blush for his foul slander against you. Whilst you were in the way of aspirants, such things were to be looked for; but when retired to the Hermitage, and in delicate health, I had hoped, for the honor of my native land, that the quiver of malice and detraction had become empty.

Your persecutors are determined to pursue you to the last; and if they could they would administer to you "vinegar mingled with gall." I commend the course pursued by you in this case, as it has presented many facts of history which were not before known to the world. I trust, from the masterly vindication, that no base or anonymous slanders will ever violate the sanctuary of your reputation or repose. Whoever undertakes to do right in a corrupt or degenerate age, or in the midst of factions, demagogues, or, unprincipled aspirants may expect to pay the forfeit of their repose. No man deserves the name nor the reward of a patriot who is not willing to hazard everything for his country, and, if necessary, to perish for, or with it, rather than to drag out a humiliating existence.