horizon have been dissipated, and that your sun again shines forth in all its wonted grandeur. It has been your fortune to engross more of public attention than any other private individual in this nation, and I am asked daily a hundred questions about that extraordinary man. Gen. Houston; and I most ardently hope that I may ere long be able to say that you have triumphed over every obstacle that interposed against the accomplishment of your wishes, not doubting but that I shall be able to add with honest and commendable pride that those wishes have shown themselves worthy of a high-minded and honorable American.
"I am negotiating for a contract to furnish several thousand stands of arms for the Government. If successful, I think, with the advantages I have of waterpower and machinery, I can not fail to make it profitable. If I get the contract I will content myself with endeavoring to manage it to the best advantage. Our Anti-Masons and Nationals have leagued together to defeat Van Buren and the Regency in this State. It is a contest in which I can not participate. I think the result doubtful. Pennsylvania will go for the old General, veto and all, though I think it equally certain that she will not give Van Buren a vote. The General will be re-elected, and I think P. I. Barbour will be the Vice-President, which is all I ask for. As I feel a deep interest in your movements, let me enjoin it on you to write to me particularly and as often as you have leisure and can find amusement in so doing. Several copies of your letter to me of the 7th June last have been sent to Ohio, Michigan, etc., and if any apology offers I intend to publish the whole correspondence. I have no doubt that letter will be published in Ohio for the benefit of Stansberry. May the smiles of Heaven attend your undertaking and cheer you, wherever your lot may be cast.
"Yours,John Van Fossen."To Gen. Sam Houston, Cantonment Gibson, Arkansas Territory."
In 1832 the people of Texas, in the vicinity of Nacogdoches, openly and generally expressed themselves in favor of inviting either Gen. Sam Houston or Gen. Wm. Carroll to come among them, and take the lead of any revolutionary movement which might be determined upon. While, therefore, Gen. Houston was passing through Nacogdoches on his way to San Antonio de Bexar, he was warmly importuned by the people of the former place to take up his residence among them, and to permit them to use his name as a candidate for election to the convention which was called to meet in the April following. The people appeared at once to recognize the great qualities of civil and military leader which his history and character shadowed forth. On his return from San Antonio de Bexar to Nacogdoches he learned that by an unanimous vote he had been elected a member of the convention. After so generous and cordial a greeting he took up his residence among his new constituents. The convention met in a rude, narrow apartment at San Felipe de Austin, April 1st, 1833. Wm. H. Wharton was chosen president. The assembly, composed of over fifty members, entered immediately upon the object of their meeting, and as each delegate had to pay his own expenses, the business of the convention was completed in thirteen
