- More
[Sam Houston] Letter of General Sam Houston to General Santa Anna....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
[Sam Houston] Letter of General Sam Houston to General Santa Anna. Washington: Printed at the Congressional Globe Office, 1852. 8vo. 8pp. Two printed leaves, folded and unbound. Foxed and chipped along the edges, otherwise a near fine copy of this scarce document.Though the title page indicates an 1852 printing date, Houston's letter as printed is actually dated March 21, 1842. Houston was prompted to write this defiant letter to President Santa Anna after a raid on San Antonio by Mexican troops under Brigadier General Rafael Vasquez earlier that month. Houston writes, in part: "Your communications...would have met with a more ready attention had it not been for a marauding incursion made by a Mexican force on the defenceless [sic] town of San Antonio...Apprehending that the force had some other character more important than that of bandits and plunderers, commanded, as it was by regular officers, it produced a momentary excitement and claimed the attention of the Executive. But, as the bandits have withdrawn, characterizing their retreat by pillage and plunder, as has been usual with Mexicans, I am left at leisure to resume in tranquility the duties of my station." Houston goes on to list a history of abuses suffered by the citizens of Texas, including a reference to the Alamo massacre: "You besieged the Alamo; but under what circumstances? Not those, surely, which should characterize a general of the nineteenth century." Houston reminds Santa Anna of his humane treatment when captured after the battle of San Jacinto and reminds the Mexican President that no such humanity was afforded the captured members of the Santa Fe expedition. Houston closes: "In the war which will be conducted by Texas against Mexico, our incentive will not be a love of conquest; it will be to disarm tyranny of its power. We will make no war upon Mexicans or their religion. Our efforts shall be made in behalf of the liberties of the people...With these principles we shall march across the Rio Grande; and believe me, sir, ere the banner of Mexico shall triumphantly float on the banks of the Sabine, the Texan standard of the single star, borne by the Anglo-Saxon race, shall display its bright folds in liberty's triumph on the Isthmus of Darien."
Reference: Sabin 95032.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping
Sales Tax information | Terms and Conditions
Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments
Glossary of Terms
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Currency
Ends on 04/25/2018
Silver
Ends on 04/25/2018
US Coins
Ends on 04/25/2018
Currency
Ends on 04/26/2018
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 05/01/2018
Fine Art
Ends on 05/04/2018
Nature & Science
Ends on 05/05/2018
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 05/10/2018
Space
Ends on 05/11/2018
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 05/12/2018
Musical Instruments
Ends on 05/12/2018
Decorative Art
Ends on 05/16/2018
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 05/17/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/03/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/25/2018
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 05/14/2018
Historical
Opens about 05/14/2018
Photography
Opens about 05/15/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 06/07/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/18/2018
Old West
Opens about 05/21/2018
Decorative Art
Opens about 05/18/2018
Arms & Armor
Opens about 05/22/2018
Luxury Accessories
Opens about 05/21/2018
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 05/11/2018
US Coins
Opens about 05/25/2018
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 05/29/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/28/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/29/2018
Fine & Rare Wine
Opens about 06/04/2018
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
The department director has the heart of a true and highly knowledgeable collector with the business acumen of someone who has been not only successful but has decades of an impeccable track recordView More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)