General Sam Houston's 1860 Letter to Huntsville Residents

Throughout his career in public service, General Sam Houston remained a prominent figure in Texas politics, serving as president of the Texas Republic, U.S. Senator, and Governor of the Lone Star State. As Texas governor, General Houston presented himself as strongly pro-union and opposed to secession. One of the primary reasons why General Sam left the Southern Democratic Party was due to its platform that embraced secession from the Union and stalwart support of slavery. While General Houston did not adopt an anti-slavery or abolitionist stance, he felt that the issue of slavery did not justify disunion. When Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States in 1860, it created widespread political fear among Texans, who believed his administration would threaten their “liberty, property, and prosperity.” [1]

In a public letter to Houston, a committee of local Huntsville residents expressed concerns about Abraham Lincoln’s election and asked General Houston to express his opinion on what they labeled “the Crisis.” In addition to being a famous soldier and politician, Houston was well known for his community involvement, concern for local issues, and efforts to enhance the city's image in Texas politics. In response, General Houston stressed that he was not a political advocate of President Lincoln. Still, as an elected American official, he would honor his oath to the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, he did not believe Lincoln’s election served as grounds for Texas to secede from the Union. He also made it a point that Lincoln “will be sworn to support the Constitution and execute the Laws.” If the president failed to enforce the law, he would face political resistance. General Houston used the Fugitive Slave Act, signed into federal law by President Millard Fillmore, as an example to illustrate his point. The Fugitive Slave Act placed the power of the federal government behind the “right” of planters to recover escaped slaves. [2]

Huntsville residents relied on slave labor for cotton production. They were concerned that President Lincoln would initiate political efforts to abolish slavery as an institution and disrupt their business activities. General Houston noted that President Lincoln did not endorse repealing the Fugitive Slave Act, believing it to be constitutional. Houston wanted to calm the anxieties of a community that held deep respect and admiration for him by reaffirming that they should not jump to conclusions but instead remain loyal to their country's laws and traditions. [3]

General Houston asked whether leaving the Union would make Texas safer, improve its finances, or safeguard it from unlawful actions. Ultimately, General Houston’s devotion to America and its laws forced him out of the governorship in 1861, when he decided not to join the Confederacy and engage in a civil war against fellow Americans. This letter shows the political influence of General Houston and the South's political climate on the eve of the Civil War and secession. [4]

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