Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/153

 of Congress sinie die. Members declared that they had lost all hope of carrying on the Government, and that they would close the farce by retiring to their homes. In the midst of the tempest Houston arose and addressed the speaker. Members dropped their hats and gradually resumed their seats. The house was soon full, and the members quiet and still. Before ten minutes had elapsed, the rich deep voice which had rung out clearly over the field of San Jacinto, was all that could be heard. The result only can give the true idea of the effect of the speech. He read a resolution "that the House adjourn till to-morrow morning at the usual hour." Not a member voted against the resolution; crowds flocked around him, and even some of his old enemies seizing his hand, thanked him for saving the country. The feeling was universal that but for him the Government would have been dissolved. It is quite certain that his efforts saved it from impending disaster. The following letter exhibits the times:

", 2d Feby., 1841.

":—I would have written to you long since, but the truth is that I have nothing interesting or agreeable to advise you of. We have been in session for months, and little of advantage has resulted to our country from the session. We are in a bad box, and I fear it is locked upon us! We are in debt—we have nothing to pay with. It will be impossible for the Government to go on without the most burthensome taxes. Yes, so much so that the people can not get money sufficient to pay them! What is to become of us, God only can tell. All human wisdom, or at least Texan wisdom, seems to fail us. We have many patriots in Texas, as well as Congress, but it seems that every measure proposed by those most able in finance can not devise a plan by which the nation is to be extricated from its present difficulties! The exertion of all the talents and industry of the people will be necessary to restore us to the situation in which the present administration found the country. But we must turn our eyes to the only subject that claims the attention of the people. We must cultivate our soil, raise our crops, rear our cattle, and everything that will make us comfortable and independent when we are at our homes. We will still be a people, if we can not be a Government, though I hope devoutly we will remain a people and a nation. The truth is, that useless extravagance and the most unprincipled profligacy have characterized the present administration. Recklessness, the most palpable and barefaced, has been practiced to such an extent that they can neither blush for their crimes, nor relent at the calamities which they have inflicted upon a generous, poor, and confiding people.

"When things get to the worst they must mend, as the old adage goes. Our situation, if the adage is true, must soon be in a better condition. I hope this may be the case! I can not see how we would, or could, be in a worse condition.

"The sole object of is to insure, to secure, his re-election. And the country has to pay for his experiment; but he ought not to presume too far upon the forbearance of an injured and oppressed people. He has, as you will see by the newspaper enclosed, had recourse to novelty, as well as the ranks of his