Lexington, Jany 14, 1837

Dear Cousin

I have been again to Frankfort to get the Texas resolutions through the Senate. I wrote you of their passage in the House. After the recess for the Christmas Holidays, the weather being excessively cold I could not immediately get back, and when I arrived had the mortification to learn they had been brought up, before all the members returned, and had been laid on the table till June. Could I have got home the same night I should have done so without showing myself. I had to stay, however, and learned, from conversation with my friends among the senators, that probably a vote of reconsideration might be obtained. On motion it proved to be the fact; and after a very animated and interesting discussion, for which I furnished the chief matter, such ignorance prevails on the subject, the Resolutions were carried, but with very considerable amendments, growing out of prudential motives. Old men are excessively prudent, as if there could be danger in requesting congress to recognize when they see reason for so doing. The amendments are rather in the phraseology than in the sense. Mr Wiggington seemed displeased and doubted if the House would concur. I shall have to go again to see about it. The success of these Resolutions— They are called my resolutions—is ascribed entirely to the presence of the ladies. The seats were crowded by my influence and example. The ladies call out the eloquence—and they electioneer well in the lobbies and in society. Our friends in the senate are Mesrs Carter—Willes—Dixon— Barnet—Young. All were eloquent. Willes most elaborate. I gave him a book—and numbers of the Telegraph. Fergurson drew up his brief, and assisted him by hints as he spoke. He was very useful and devoted. They doubted the ability of Texas to maintain her Independence, which was a clause left out by the amendments. With the alterations they had every vote but two. One of the no was the Uncle of young Woolley who returned with Wilson and Postletwhaite. Those bad men did incalculable mischief. Nothing can do away [with] the impression The President's Texas message, arriving while the Resolutions were pending, had its effect to retard. 'He knows better than we,' they would say. Whartons foolish speech did mischief by giving plausibility to the argument of our opponents that the Texian battles were fought by adventurers from the United States rather than by Texans. Mr Burrel of the Senate, arrived direct from Texas while the discussion was going on, and had he been more of a man he might have aided us much by a speech in point, as I urged. He is not much of a talker, and I suspect, though I could not find out, that he was not altogether pleased. He spoke of the excitement caused by Santa Anna's release, and of Houston's intemperance and unpopularity. He said he had been with you some days. He only voted with us—said nothing. I saw in Frankfort an old friend of yours—Mrs Ramsey. She told me to speak to you of Martha Lockwood—of St. Louis. She said she had led many a dance with you. I replied, no doubt she would again, for she is going to Texas to reside, being a widow, and having a sister there, living in Nacog- doches. We were attracted to each other simply by Texas sympathy— sitting together during the debates.

I wish I could go on to Washington, now I see how much I could do. If the money comes soon enough I shall do so. All care will be necessary Texas has enemies. Unless the mission of Santa Anna should effect all. He is nearly there by this time. He was sick here a week, as you were— through severe cold. As soon as able he took carriages from Wheeling, the river being frozen—to be there in ten days. It is now the tenth. Then he would take stage. He has been heard from at Chilacothe—doing well. Gen. Jackson is reported doing well also—they will therefore meet before many days. While here he was not very accessible to visitors— I saw and conversed with him in his room—found in him all the urbanity of the perfect gentleman. Could not discover in him the cloven foot—or talk of monster any more. He spoke of you as his amigo. Complimented us a good deal—said he had seen my book etc: said Henrietta did not much resemble the ladies he saw in Texas— I replied he could not have seen many there—they had to fly before him etc: He laughed at all I said was very pleasant, as was Almonte. They promised to pass an even'g at my house with some Kentucky ladies. They did not however give me a chance. They produced quite a sensation. Our lamented friend Charlton Hunt was buried with military honors the day they arrived, which caused a concourse in the streets. He was frightened at the sight of Military supposing him- [self] the object of attention. Reports of him have gone ahead of him all the way—and people, tired of the cry of wolf, suffered him to pass unmolested. God speed him and Texas.— I wrote you about Fergurson. You did not get the letters in season— Wharton passed while he was busy at Frankfort. He will probably return to Texas. Ever yours

M A H.

Since writing—I have a letter from Henry, 9 Dec: Some hope of the money glad affairs go on so well. Henrietta and I will go to Washington rather than N Orleans. Emily has returned from N York— We are all very well. Have an approv'g letter from Edwards teacher— Best love to cousin Emily. Girls send theirs also to her and you—

[Addressed:] S F Austin Texas.

Care of Messrs Toby and Brothers New Orleans