Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/262



anecdotes affecting public affairs and private individuals are related, of which Gen. Houston is the central figure. Many of them indicate the bitter satire, the caustic sarcasm which sometimes escaped him when a sense of wrong or injustice was apparent. A few of those only should find a place in this memoir.

Two of these are taken from Hon. Ashbel Smith's "Reminiscences of the Texas Republic." They are given in Col. Smith's own vigorous and classical language. It is illustrative of the times of the first administration of President Houston:

"San Antonio was much the largest, richest, most influential city of Texas of that period. It was remote from the seat of government. There was no intervening population between it and the Mexican frontier. For its protection, and that of the country, a considerable squadron of cavalry was stationed in that city. This squadron was, indeed, the only military of Texas kept mobilized that was ready to take the field. Major Western, who commanded this body of cavalry, had by some acts and significant innuendoes intimated that he cared very little for the one horse Government in the city of Houston. President Houston was apprehensive that an order to recall the Major, or to relieve him, might be disobeyed. It was announced publicly that a Minister would be appointed to represent Texas at the Court of St. James. Col. Wm. H. Patton was going to San Antonio on his own private business. President Houston, in a long and friendly conversation with Col. Patton, at length adverted as by accident to the proposed mission to England. He spoke of Major Western, lauded his polished manners, his courtly address, his diplomatic ability, said the Major strongly reminded him of Mr. Van Buren, asked Col. Patton what he thought of the appointment of Major Western for this mission. All this he begged Col. Patton to hold in strict confidence. Nothing was absolutely determined on. 'Col. Patton need not be surprised at anything.' The President, waiting till he heard of Col. Patton's safe arrival in San Antonio, sent through the War Department orders to Major Western to report in person at the seat