I had the pleasure of meeting and recording Texas Senator John Cornyn reading a famous letter from Republic of Texas President Sam Houston to former U.S. President Andrew Jackson.

Voices of Texas History

1844 draft letter from Sam Houston to Andrew Jackson regarding the annexation of Texas by the United States.

Read by United States Senator
John Cornyn on July 27th, 2012

Listen (MP3 file)

Read transcript (pdf file)

About the document

Sen. Cornyn reads sections of a draft letter dated February 16, 1844, from Republic of Texas President Sam Houston to former U.S. President Andrew Jackson emphasizing his support of Texas’ annexation by the United States. (Draft letter: Item 3362, Andrew Jackson Houston collection. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission). The excerpts read by Senator Cornyn highlight the most compelling points in Houston’s draft letter (the final draft was ultimately sent to Jackson).