Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/577

 stage for the grand catastrophe. Now it is that the judge calls upon his confederates to stand by him, and to redeem the prices of his favor to them by the most unscrupulous of means, and most desperate of services.

Thus it is observed that the first step of the startled plotters is to gather around the judge, and attempt to protect the great head and front of the conspiracy. It is observed that in attempting the desperate defense they hesitate at nothing. It is observed that in seeking to cover the judge they expose themselves to new discoveries of guilt, and sink deeper into the mire of falsehood and fraud.

It will be instructive to note the parts which the different confederates of Judge Watrous take, and the length to which they go in seeking to establish a defense for him. To commence with League, one of the closest of his confederates: when examined, in the course of the Watrous investigation, he strives to make it appear that when the copies of the depositions taken at Mexico were received at Galveston, he had repeated conversations with Robert Hughes in relation thereto; but that Judge Watrous discouraged or forbade any conversation with himself on the subject. I will here read some of the passages from the testimony to this effect: "Question. (by the chairman). You spoke of having received a copy of a deposition from the clerk at New Orleans. You received that in Galveston?

"Answer. Yes, sir. It was sent to Judge Hughes, not me.

"Question. Was Judge Hughes in Galveston at that time?

"Answer. I think he was.

"Question. What time was that?

"Answer. It must have been in the month of April, 1857.

"Question. You are certain that that communication was sent to Judge Hughes?

"Answer. I think it was.

"Question. Whom did you consult as to the propriety of going to Mexico for Gonzales?

"Answer. With Judge Hughes. I might have mentioned it to Judge Watrous; I think I did. He called; but whenever I attempted to say anything to him, he would reply, 'Go to Judge Hughes; I have nothing to do with it!' "

"A copy of the depositions taken in Mexico was sent to Judge Hughes; Judge Hughes sent for me intermediately, and read it over. Some of it was in Spanish; but he made it out.". . ..

"Question. Did you take from Judge Hughes any copy of the depositions taken in Mexico, impeaching the power of attorney?

"Answer. I took the substance, but not an exact copy.

"Question. You noted down on paper the substance.

"Answer. Yes, I noted it down, and submitted it to my Alabama friends.

"Question. Did you note that from the depositions before you?

"Answer. Judge Hughes noted it.

"Question. Judge Hughes put upon paper the substance of the testimony taken in Mexico?

"Answer. Yes; and I think that I added to it something.