TO JOSEPH McMINN | TO ANDREW JACKSON
TO JOHN ALLEN | RESIGNATION

Little Rock A.T. 11th May 1829

Gen. Jackson, Tho' an unfortunate, and doubtless, the most unhappy man now living, whose honor, so far as depends upon himself, is now lost, I can not brook the idea of your supposing me capable, of an act that would not adorn; rather than blot the escutheon of human nature! This remark is induced, by the fact, as reported to me, that you have been assured that I meditated an interprize calculated to injure, or involve my country, and to compromit the purity of my motives. I do not distinctly understand the extent of the information, or its character, but I Suppose it was intended to complete my ruin, in irremediable devastation of character! To you any suggestion on my part would be idle, and on my part, as man; ridiculous-You Sir, have witnessed my conduct from boyhood thro life—You saw me, draw my first sword from its scabbard—you saw me breast the fore front of Battle, and you saw me incounter successive dangers, with cheeks unblenched, and with nerves which had no ague in them! You have seen my private, & my official acts-to these I refer you-To what woud they all amount, and for what would I live? but for my own honor, and the honor and safety of my country? Nothing! And now that domestic misfortune; of which I say nothing; and about which there are ten thousand imputed slanders; has come upon; as a black cloud at noonday I am to be hunted down! What am I? an Exile from my home; and my country, a houseless unshelter'd wanderer, among the Indians! Who has met, or who has sustained, such sad and unexpected reverses? Yet I am myself, and will remain, the proud and honest man! I will love my country; & my friends—You Gen will ever possess my warmest love, and most profound veneration! In return I ask nothing—I would have nothing, within your power to give me! I am satisfied with natures gifts—They will supply natures wants!!

When in this section of the country if in my power to give information at any time of matters that concern either your feelings, or your administration I will be proud & happy to do so and in my individual capacity, if I can keep peace among the Indians, & between them & the whites I will cheerfully do it. If I find your favors abused, and injustice done to the Indians, by their agents, I will feel bound, to let you know the facts.

Two days since I arrived here I have had the pleasure seeing Colo Crittenden the acting Governor of the Territory, and I am happy to assure you that my opinion in relation to many reports about his hostility to you have changed. On the subject I have heard him speak, more than once. He is satisfied that he will be, if he is not already removed from office. And he says that he has ever; and does at this moment retain for you the most prefect respect & veneration; and that he has ever since Seminole campaign, cherished feelings not less than those of filial regard towards you. He has no doubt but many representations, have been made to you respecting him—and he says that "any representations, which may have been made contrary to these sentiments, are unqualifiedly, false and designed from mischievous purposes."

In two hours I will leave here, for my old friend, Jollys, of the Cherokees; and will from thence start on a Buffaloe (Summer) hunt, so soon as I am rested! If at any time you should feel, for me the personal regard that would induce you to write to me, I will get it from the Cherokee Agency. You have much employment, and little time for private purposes, and I would not tax you, with the labour of writing; unless it is perfectly convenient—tho' I will always be happy to hear from you. I need not tell how sincerely and truly I wish you a successful and glorious administration of the Government of the U. States.

May you live long, and may your days be as happy, as your life has been glorious and useful to your country. Farewell.

Sam Houston

Source:

Amelia W. Williams and Eugene C. Barker, eds., The Writings of Sam Houston, 1813-1863 (Austin, Tex.: Pemberton Press, 1970).

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