Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02145.04

Author/Creator: Houston, Sam (1793-1863)

Place Written: Washington, [Texas]

Type: Letter signed

Date: 1842/12/10

Pagination: 2 p. + docket 34 x 20 cm

Summary of Content: Signed twice as President of Texas. Telling Ward of Smith’s and Chandler’s orders to remove the archives.

Historical Era: National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860

Full Transcript: Confidential., Washington, Decr. 10th., 1842, To Col. Thom. Wm. Ward., Dear Sir,, I have this day written to Col. Thomas I. Smith and Capt. Eli Chandler upon the subject of the removal of the archives and Government stores now remaining and under your charge, as Special Agent, at the City of Austin. I have been assured by one of those Gentlemen, that he would effect so desirable and necessary an object. They are certainly in a very precarious and unsafe situation. What the Mexican or Indian enemy might not do, I am led to believe, from the various threats that have reached my ears, might be accomplished by the irresponsible, unprincipled and lawless among our own citizens. I am told that their destruction by fire has been frequently denounced by some of those who oppose their removal. Such an event would produce not only incalculable but irresponsible injury to the people of Texas; and must not, if possible, be permitted. Col. Smith and Capt. Chandler will act with secrecy , efficiency and dispatch as their prudence and discretion shall dictate. When ready to begin the work, they will report to you - from whom, I doubt not, they will receive every facility in your power., It is very important that the iron chest belonging (I believe) to the Quarter Master’s Department, which was secreted under that office, and which has been since removed to Luckett’s in the neighborhood, should be secured and brought away. It contains evidence of individual indebtedness to heavy amounts.- There are also Commissary’s stores, soap, &c., &c. which should be brought away. , Though I have not often written you, yet I have often thought of you and your unpleasant position, surrounded as you are by so many difficulties and disagreeable circumstances. I hope you will soon be relieved, and placed in a community where you may be free from so many harrassments [sic]., The papers containing the correspondence between yourself and the Committee of Safety of the City of Austin, concerning the removal of the archives, during [2] the late incursion of the Mexicans, were very opportunely [sic] here; for they conclusively prove by the admission of the party opposed the removal, that a clear and undoubted emergency existed at the time as well as in the spring. They were read in the House of Representatives, and of course produced the proper effect., I have the honor to be,, Very truly Yours,, Sam Houston, , P.S. You will receive herewith a copy of the letter addressed to Messrs. Smith & Chandler. A copy of this letter to yourself has been forwarded to them., Sam Houston, , [docket], From the President, To Thom Wm Ward, relative to the removal of , Archives by Smith, & Chandler Decr 10th 1842, rec’d at Austin Decr 30th/42, Confidential

Keywords/Subjects: Texas, Government & Civics, Mobs & riots, Rebellion, American West, Military History, Global History and US Foreign Policy, Global History and US Foreign Policy, Military History, Latin & South America

Sub Era: Age of Jackson