Autograph docketing notation, “I. W. Brashear, 20th Aug 1857,” done by Houston as US Senator of Texas, on the reverse of the second integral page of a letter to Houston from Brashear. The one page letter from Brashear measures 7.75 x 9.75, and is dated August 20, 1857. Brashear writes requesting that Houston and General Rusk, another Texas senator, write to the Post Office Department in order to change Brashear's route schedule between the towns of Houston and Huntsville. In part, "It is requested by the merchants and travelling community both of Houston & Huntsville. I can run three times a week if I like." The letter continues to discuss the election of 1857. Houston lost the election on August 3 and some three weeks later was still discussing his concerns about the election. "As you intimated to me" and discusses how he suspected foul play…but the great machine of destruction was the Steam Boat Company which being united, entered into every ramification of the working classes, and changed sixty or eighty votes on the day of election. “I suppose $2000 was spent and votes openly bought." Houston has docketed the letter on the reverse of the second integral page, above the address panel to him in Huntsville, Texas. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, scattered toning and foxing, and some light mirroring of ink. Unfortunately, and apparently unbeknownst to Brashear, Senator Rusk had killed himself just a month prior in July. RRAuction COA.
