William Carey Crane

“ Houston would be in New Orleans on a certain day, on his way to the ' Hermitage,' to take leave of his dying friend. Knowing that he would reach that city the evening before the 'annexation meeting at the Arcade,' I wrote to him as follows, and my letter may be among his papers: 'My dear General, allow me to recall myself to your remembrance by informing you that I have just returned from a pilgrimage to the "Hermitage," to take a final and sad leave of our dear old friend; and his parting inquiry of me, in regard to annexation, was, "Edward, what will Houston do?" ”

“ It is always my habit to read a portion of Scripture before I retire." The lady of the house was only too glad to get something done which looked like religion in the house, and she soon procured a Bible. Houston read a brief, familiar passage, and made some appropriate comments thereon, then observed: "Having done all I do usually at home, we are ready to retire." He and his staff retired, without exchanging words. In the morning, at breakfast, he again asked a blessing. After breakfast the staff proceeded to get up the teams for travel, while Gen. Houston still conversed with the family. ”

“ Taylor, who has the entire confidence of the Government; and Gen. Taylor has been fully advised of its wishes, and furnished with the necessary instructions.' The result you know.
"Faithfully and truly yours, E. G. M. Butler." Not only in Texas, where he. was the idol of "the people," but in Washington and New York, the people clustered about Houston as a father, and hundreds were proud to have taken his hand, to have met his benign snnile, and to have received from him a word of heartfelt tenderness. ”

“ He spoke of Major Western, lauded his polished manners, his courtly address, his diplomatic ability, said the Major strongly reminded him of Mr. Van Buren, asked Col. Patton what he thought of the appointment of Major Western for this mission. ”

“ You and your staff can call as often as you please. From this time on I shall be a Houston man." And Col. Scott said that man was an inflexible friend of Gen. Houston ever afterward.
"St. Louis, Mo., April 9, 1881. "My Dear Sir: At the instance of our learned friend, the Rev. G. W. Samson, of New York, 'the pastor of Sam Houston' while a United States Senator, I sit down to write to you concerning our early association and correspondence, and the annexation of Texas. ”