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Houston, Sam (1793-1863) to Thomas W. Ward re: removal of goverment from Austin and archives

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02145.02 Author/Creator: Houston, Sam (1793-1863) Place Written: Washington, [Texas] Type: Letter signed Date: 1842/10/08 Pagination: 1 p. + addr 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Signed as President of Texas. Refers to the removal of the government from Austin to Washington-on-the-Brazos, and the need to remove the archives, a removal that eventually led to the Texas "archives war."

Executive Department
Washington, October 8th., 1842
To col. Thomas Wm. Ward,
Sir,
The government offices have been removed to this place. I arrived here about a week since.- It is intended to assemble the Congress at this point.- You will fully understand the importance of having the archives removed to some place of greater safety than Austin; and also of having them within reach and control of the officers whose duties they respectively pertain.
I wish you, therefore, if possible, to put in requisition such means as you can command to effect their removal to this place at an early day. If they can be removed, waggons [sic] will be dispatched from this place for that purpose forthwith.
Let me hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Your favors of the 28th. ult. came duly to hand, for which accept my thanks.

I have the honor to be
your friend and servant,
Sam Houston
[docket]
President's 2nd Order for
removal of archives and
statement of called Session
at Washington.
Octb. 8th 1842

To/
Hon. Thom. Wm. Ward,
Comd. Genl. Land Office, &c.
Austin

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