NO. IV.
Correspondence concerning the Texas Banner.
Gen. Sam Houston.
Sir—In accordance with a recommendation of the Washington Monument Committee, contained in these words, "As the monument is National, a delegation is invited to be present from each state and territory with a Banner inscribed with the great seal of the State, and some other appropriate device, to be deposited hereafter in the monument, with a suitable inscription to perpetuate to the latest posterity, a knowledge of their use, and origin, and the names and services of the delegations that bore them—if wrought and furnished by females, their names to be recorded and perpetuated, with statements of the times and places of presentation, to the respective delegations:" We the undersigned committee, on behalf of the ladies of Galveston, have the honor herewith to transmit to you the National Banner of Texas, in the full hope that you, with the rest of our Representation at the Capitol, will act as the Texan delegation on the approaching anniversary.
The occasion, sir, is one of high and solemn import. Nations have heretofore brought to confer immortality on the names and heroic achievements of their most distinguished sons, by erecting stately monuments to their memory. It has been reserved for Washington alone to perpetuate to the remotest posterity all that is associated with his name. America can do nothing to brighten his renown. It is coeval with time. It can never perish. In building his mausoleum she only hopes to consecrate the memory of her own virtues; the strength of her patriotism, the eternity of her gratitude.
To you, sir, the trust is now confided, to present our Banner. At no other hand could it be so appropriately received. It is fit, that the same hand which raised it to the staff, after having unfurled it to the breeze, which crowned it with independence after having covered it with glory, should be the hand which, in full view of America and the world, shall lay it as an offering on the tomb of Washington.
It is no unworthy tribute. It has lit a nation's path to glory; it has conducted her to Liberty and to Independence.
A participator in the august ceremony which gathered around the grave of Washington the only children with which heaven has blessed him, Texas, a legitimate and loyal child, after having claimed and received her portion of the heritage, now mingles with her sisters' gifts the only one which can properly decorate his tomb, the banner which was dyed in the blood of Fannin, of Travis, of Crockett and of Milam, which floated in triumph over the ramparts of San Antonio, and the field of San Jacinto.
It was ordained of old, that a star should lead the world to the spot where the hope of its future salvation was to be found. Should other lights grow dim, and other hopes be darkened, should the night of despair settle over the prospects of our country, that star, which shines upon our flag, which arose amid despotism and
