Reuben M. Potter to McArdle, January 30, 1881

Page 5 of 5

Potter to McArdle, January 1881

meant for the General fell into the hands of

the soldiery, and through some of them soon

made their way to the press. Teal's letter, a few

weeks after it was sent, came to the Mexican Gen-

eral in a New Orleans paper. Luckily Teal did

not name any of his friends,

but they felt a little disgust at

the lack of discretion, or of discipline, among those

they had sought to serve. Howell's letter escaped pub-

lication.

W. Howell, who was one of the most zealous

friends of Texas in Matamoros, and was

lavish of his means in their service, a few

years later lost his life while on his way

from Matamoros to Texas. He made a se-

cret flitting [?], under circumstances not to be jus-

tified, and as he bore on his person a large

sum in gold, it was believed that his guide

had killed him and despoil-

ed his person. That guide was the man of

the whip handle whom we had repeatedly

trusted with dangerous secrets.

The papers contained in the whip handle I am told were

supposed by some who saw them to be in my hand wri-

ting; but it was the disguised writing of Howell.

The letter of Teal (or it may have been signed by both

of the Texian officers) had to be copied for other objects

than disguise, for both of these men were almost

illiterate and could barely write what was legible.

Their letter was copied & Howels [Howell's] own was written

in a very minute back hand, which may have

resembled mine more than it did his.

Please excuse the length to which I have drawn

out this letter, for when I get at an old

yarn I am apt to forget when the winding off

should stop.

With my best wishes for yourself & your family

including the inheritor of my name

I am your friend & obd^t ser^t

Reuben M. Potter

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Reuben M. Potter to McArdle, January 30, 1881, The McArdle Notebooks, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.