HOUSTON SAMUEL Autograph Letter Signed

Sale 1912 - Lot 90

Unsold

Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000

HOUSTON, SAMUEL. Autograph Letter Signed, "Sam Houston," as Governor of Texas, to the commanding officer at Fort Mason, requesting that he provide an escort for Francis Moore's exploration of the region and apologizing for not knowing the name of the commander of the Fort. 1 page, folded 4to sheet with integral blank, usual folds; remnants of prior mounting on verso of blank, light area of foxing below signature. Austin, 12 February 1861

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Francis Moore Jr. (1808-64) served in the Texas Revolution as a surgeon, and afterwards owned and operated the Telegraph and Texas Register. During that time he authored several books describing the region and also served as the Mayor of Houston. When Sam Houston was elected governor, Moore was appointed as State Geologist and immediately began a survey of the region, concluding that the area contained immense mineral riches. When he returned from his expedition, however, Texas had already seceded from the Union and he and Houston, both Unionists, resigned their posts.
Autograph Letters Signed by Houston as Governor of Texas are uncommon, as he held the position for only several months. Curiously, this letter is written after the ordinance of seccession was passed but before entrance into the Confederacy. In this brief one month period, Texas was once again an independent republic.<