this is a letter, an 1832 letter, from john wharton. and he is writing houston back in the united states. "i gave dr. branch t. archer of virginia a letter of introduction to you. dr. archer has been in texas for upwards of 12 months, is intimately acquainted with matters and things there, and is in the confidence of all their leading men. he is of the opinion that there will be some fighting there next fall." now, this is 1832. and he's saying we're expecting to break away as early as next year. "and that a fine country will be gained without much bloodshed. he is very desirous that you should go there and believes that you can be of more service than any other man" -- let's see. "any other man. he left for virginia today. and should you fall in with him, i expect that he will put you in the notion of and usefulness. and whenever they are ready for action, i will be with them. and he was. interesting. you can let mr. jackson and our friends such as you wish see this letter. do i need to tell you who mr. jackson was? all right. well, th

john wharton, a prominent member of the war party, invited houston to texas and wrote openly of an anticipated rebellion as early as june 1832, according to albert pike who overheard the chin comment, houston spoke of becoming president of a republic before he had even set foot in texas. houston consulted with his political mentor, andrew jackson, then president of the united states and an expansionist, who was at least aware of houston's intentions as early as 1832. houston wrote of enlisting indians in u.s. territory as auxiliaries in the event of a change. president jackson named houston his envoy to the pawnee and comanche tribes. and most compelling, houston wrote president jackson describing conditions inside mexican texas that could, if properly managed, promote the acquisition of texas by the government of the united states. he's no longer even trying to be coy. given the contents of these documents, there's no doubt that houston had committed himself to fomenting rebellion in texas, a rebellion which would culminate in texas becoming part of the united states. right. let's fast-forwar

well, that's one piece -- well, i'll tell you -- well there's john a. wharton and there's old branch t. archer. that's not the only piece of the evidence. on his way to houston -- or on the way to texas, houston rode in the company of elias rector. and when they parted ways north of the red river, mr. rector wanted to give houston a present. and the only thing he had to give him was a razor. houston, elias rector said, i wish to give you something before we separate and i have nothing that will do as a gift except my razor. rector, said houston, i accept your fine gift and mark my words, if i have luck, this razor will someday shave the chin of a president of a republic. now, this is before sam houston has ever set foot in texas. and he's already thinking about becoming president of a nonexistent republic. now, this is a letter to his friend james prentice. my opinion is that it would be of vast importance to have persons there, texas, who could look at matters with a view to make changes, to make changes, which are necessary and must take place before long in