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Burnet, David G. to H.M. Morfit re: land grant, Texas politics, Sam Houston

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01860.15 Author/Creator: Burnet, David G. Place Written: Austin, Texas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1840/02/28 Pagination: 4 p. 33 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Mentions Houston, whom he calls "a most consummate scoundril [sic]." Houston had been making attacks on Burnet.

Austin 28 Feby 1840
H.M. Morfit Esqs
My Dear Sir
I wrote you hastily sometime ago by Mrs. Barton. Since than the several tracks of land have been located and surveyed and returned to the office. They have been located in three separate tracks one, a [b? and l?]. one pf 960 and one of 640 acres in the Country of San [Patricio] and on the waters of the [?]. They are far west, but in a delightful country and one that will in a few years become very desirable. I procured Mr. W.H. [?], a young man of good reputation among us to locate and survey there[them]. We/[He] find [?] went above this on the San [Saba] but did not succeed to his wishes there and thinks he has a better [solution]. [?] must had presented me his bill which I thought was somewhat extravagant, but her assured me it is less than he is in the habit of charging. The whole bill amounts to $241.12 [good money]. I have paid him 200$. I [?] money which is valued at three for one. He offers to wait sometime for the balance. If an arrangement could be made by [Mrs. B] to pay it, it would be convenient to [?], for I really am not able to advance it. My expenses here are enormous, flour is worth 150$ per [b?l -.bushel/pound ?] and all other necessary in proportion, [c?] 13$ per bushel. And withal I have to build a shelter for my family and pay for some and [?s/lands] I have lately purchased to reside upon, and my salary, now almost my only [? source], is 3000$ [Fix? Money]. So you will see at once, that I cannot, without some inconvenience, advance the seven hundred and twenty [?] dollars for a long time.
Our Congress has adjourned and the members dispersed sometime since. The noted Sam Houston went away in rather ill humor and left no very [?] feelings about him. He made many, [?] and vulgar attacks upon the President and myself but more especially upon me - he abused me in every imaginable shape - and I of course was dumb not being privileged to reply. But I am about to reply through the papers. For sometime I thought of doing so over my own name, but concluded otherwise, and shall write once the signature of [Publius]. The papers I will have sent to you, as they may afford you some amusement at a leisure hour, if any such you have. All Texas will know who Publius is, but I did not want my name standing to papers of quite so mush [?per] as these will manifest and less [?] the subject would scarcely admit of - for Houston is a most consummate [?].
We are all quite [?] - our climate here is delightful [??] I wish you could visit us now, for I should really [?] hopes of alluring you to Texas.
I have sketched a rough copy of the state as furnished with the field noted. This land will eventually be valuable. Present Mrs B's and my best respect to Mrs. Barton, and may I not add, to your own family - in haste.

Yours very truly
David G. Burns

[docket:]
H.M. Morfit Esqs
Washington D.C.

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