The Life of Sam Houston. The hunter, patriot, and statesman of Texas

Contents

Fas*

SECTION FinST.

A REPUBLIC IN THK FORESTS.

Section Third. Thesoldibb

Houston under Gen. Jackson — The Creek Campaign — One Thousand Creek Warriors — The Indian Prophets — The Ruin of the Creek Nation — The Wounded Soldier — Houston on a Litter — The Soldier at Home — Afloat on the Mississippi — A Winter of Suffering — Houston's Vindication, 29

Section Fourth. The Civilian

Houston Studies Law — Original Characters — Houston Admitted to the Bar — Elected to Congress — Separates from his Young Wife — Resignation of the Office of Governor — The Wigwam-Home, 43

Section Fifth. The Exile

The Exile— Houston's adopted Father— The Old Chief's Greeting— The Children of the Forests — Houston befriends the Red Man — His Opinion of the Indians — Fire- Water among the Red Men — lluustou's Enemies — Jackson, the Friend of Houston—Attempts to kill Him— On Trial— Thirty Days of Pul)lic Trial— His Acquittal — Ue Returns to the Forests— Tlie Hearth-Stone of a Savage King, ... 49

VIU CONTENTS,

Pag*

Section Sixth. T B X A S — T He New Field

Forest Civic Life in Texas — First Convontion in Texas — First Collision with Santa Anna — The Constitution of Texas — Houston's Policy for Texas — Austin Imprisoned — Public Meetings in Texas — Santa Anna's Tjranny — Texas Prepares for the Struggle — The Patriot Austin — Provisional Declaration of Independence — Houston's Indian Costume — Commander-in-Chief — A Proclamation — Capitulation of the Alamo — The Spirit of Faction — Mustering an Army — Houston's Plans for the Campaign — Opposition to Overcome — A Dark Future for Texas — ^Persecution — The 2d of March, 1836, fit

Section Seventh. The General

The Declaration of Independence — The Brave Men ih the Alamo— A Letter from Col. Travis — Houston in the Convention — The PaU of the Alamo — Houston's Policy — The Last Gun from the Alamo — The Massacre of the Alamo — Mrs. Dickinson's Story — Panic in Texas — The March — A Lustre to the Setting Sun — Houston's Humanity — Down the. Colorado — Houston's Army — The Slaughter of Goliad — Preparing to Meet the Enemy — The Camp on the Brazos — Marchicg to San Jacinto — The Only Hope of Texas — Santa Anna Advancing — The Cowardice of the Government — Tlie Two Field-Pieces — Not a Tent in the Army — The Time to Fight — Not a Moment to be Lost — An Hour of Peril — " Remember the Alamo " — The March of Houston's Army — Their Arrival at San Jacinto — Santa Anna's Bugles— The Two Armies Meet — The Evening Before the Battle — Truth and its Power — The Camp of the Mexicans, .....87

Section Eighth. The Hero Of San Jacinto

The Night Before the Battle — The Morning of San Jacinto — A Council of War — Houston Brings on the Battle — The Slaughter — The Charge — The Death Struggle — The Fate of the Five Hundred — Deaf Smith — The Day of Vengeance — The Plight of Santa Anna — The Return from the Field — The Spoils of Victory — Tlie Sublimity of the Victory — The Dominion of the Anglo-Saxons — Why Americans Went to Texas — Spain Fades from her Ancient Dominion — The Despotism of Mexico — A Justification of Texas — Time's Noblest Offspring, 123

Section Ninth. The Victor And The Captive

The Morning After the Victory — Santa Anna Houston's Prisoner — Houston Receives Him — The Mortified Mexican Dictator — Santa Anna Meets Houston — Cross Examination of Santa Anna — The San Jacinto Corn — Americans can Never be Conquered — Santa Anna to be Shot — Houston's Magnanimity to Him — Santa Anna and Houston — Houston's Treatment of his Prisoners — Orders to Santa Anna —

CONTENTS. IX

Png«

The Fugitive Government — Rusk, the Patriot Soldier — Conditions of Santa Anna's Release — Scenes After San Jacinto — Uouston's Noble Conduct — The General Parting with the Army — Address to tlie Soldiers — Houston's Reception at New Orleans — His Return to His Home — Santa Anna to be Executed — Houston's Protest — Bad Faith with Santa Anna — Icyustice to a Prisoner — Santa Anna's . Remonstrance — A Bitter Sarcasm — The New Commander-in-Chief, . . . 143

Section Tenth. The President

Election of the First President by Acclamation — The First Texan Congress — Houaton's Inaugural Address — The Infant Republic — Houston Returns His Sword — First Step of the President — Meeting of Houston and Santa Anna — Jackson's Opinion of Houston — Parting of Santa Anna and Houston — Attempts at Annexation — Walker's Advocacy of Texas — Jacjison's Last Official Act — Texas Advances — Houston's Treatment of the Indians — Disbanding the Army — An Army of Adventurers Disperse — Houston's Steadying Hand — Prosperity of Texas — Law-Abiding Men — Houston's First Term Ends — Valedictory Address — Houston's Blessing on His Republic 178

Section Eleventh. The Legislator

The New President — Ruinous Policy of Lamar — The Santa Fe Expedition — Lamar Administration — Extermination of the Indians — Lamar's Statesmanship — Houston Saves the Young Republic — A Crisis Nobly Met, 196

Section Twelfth. Again President

Houston's Second Term — Difficulties to Overcome — Dark Prospects for Texas — Texas again Invaded — Texas prepares for another Struggle — Threats against Houston— A Veto against Dictatorial Power — A Letter to Santa Anna — Santa Anna's PoUtical Character — Anglo-Saxons, and Mexicans — History of the Mexican Dictator — Defence of Texas — The Truth told to a Mexican — History of Santa Anna's Conduct — ^The Victor to his Captive — Contrast between Mexican and American Humanity — The Truth about Texas — Slavery in Mexico — Texas will Conquer Peace — Houston's Second Terra — Appeal to all Friendly Powers — Civilized Nations Invoked — The History of the Struggle with Mexico written by Houston — The Fair Defiance of Texas to Mexieo^Appeal to Humanity against Butchery, . . , 2^

SECTION THIRTEENTH.

ANNEXATIO N — F RENCH, BRITISH, AND AMERICAN CABINETS.

Effect of Houston's Appeal in London, Paris, and Washington — Anxiety and Intrigues of European Powers about Texas — Texas spurned from our Embraces

X CONTENTS.

Vttg* —Annexation Postponed— Subtle and Successful Policy of Houston— Prospect of losing Texas— Texas relies upon Herself— Should Texas be Annexed ?— Policy of Annexation — Texas lost to America — Attempts at Annexation — Solicitude for Texas — Texas Independent — Houston's Diplomacy — Tlie Future for Texas — Political Prophecies — Motives for Annexation — Political Calculation — A Look into the Future — Far-Sighted Statesmanship, 131

SECTION FOURTEENTH.

RETIRE MEN T — H ODSTON'S CHARACTER.

Why he favored Annexation — Retirement to Private Life — Last Letter of Instructions — Negotiations — True Policy of the United States — Texas in the Union — A Hearty Greeting to Her — Houston's Presidency — Texas represented at Washington — Houston's Private Character — The Reformer and the Reformed — The Wounds of the Patriot, . . . . 1 251

SECTION FIFTEENTH.

HOUSTON IN THE NATIONAL SENATE.

His Nationality — Sectionalism in 1S50 — How Low the Country had Fallen — How Pierce was Elected — His Treachery to Party, Friends, and Country — His Unpopular Administration — America Denationalized — Pierce violates the Compromise Measures— Houston on the Nebraska Bill — Unnecessary Agitation — Fanaticism Rebuked — The Facts of the Missouri Compromise — Effects of its Repeal upon the South — Integrity of the Compromise — The Measure Uncalled For — Views of President Polk — Effects of Repeal upon the Whole Country — Houston swerves not from Duty — Opinion of General Cass — Jacob and Esau — Constitutionality of the Compromise — Henry Clay — Agitation of 1S50 — Position of ihe Northern Democracy- Vindication of the Indians — Their Social Condition — Shameful Robbery of the Red Men — Duty of Congress towards them — The Pacificators of 1850 — Remonstrances against the Nebraska Bill — Houston on the Clergymen's Petition — Ministers of the Gospel not to be Disfranchised — Propriety of the Memorial — Relation of Ministers to Politics — The South and the Compromise — Reply to Mr. Douglass — The Memorial Misapprehended — The Principles of Self-Government — Effects of Houston's Speech — Senator Benton Eulogizes Houston, 263

SECTION SIXTEENTH.

HOUSTON'S STATESMANSHIP.

Elements of Statesmanship- Firmness of Political Purpose— Public Detraction- Heroism of Mind — Jackson's Feelings towards Houston— Jackson's Opinion of Houston— Houston's American Character— The Ma^ic Power of Statesmanship — Texas in her Prostration — Houston a Primitive Man- God in History — The Sacred Form of Justice S()|

CONTENTS. ' Si

Foga SECTION SEVENTEENTH.

HOUSTON AND TEG INDIANS.

Wrongs to the Indians— Growing Sympathy for the Red Man— The Reformer of the Indians — Houston's View of the Indians — Shall the Indians be Exterminated? — No Societies for the Indians — Houston's Boyhood — Justice to the Rod Men, . . 817

SECTION EIGHTEENTH.

HOCSTON AND FOREIGN EMIGRATION.

Houston Questioned in the Senate— His Opinion of Foreigners—The Texas Seaasw is Cross-Questioned — Jealousy of Him, ...S

SECTION NINETEENTH.

THE ANNEXATION OF TBXAS.

First Attempts for Annexation — War with Mexico — Debates on the Annexation- Mexican Tribute to Anglo-Americans — A Picture of Texas — Its Resources — Texas the Road to the Pacific — Girded by Two Oceans — Causes for Congratulation — Universal Blessings — Benton's Opinion of Texas and its Public Men — How She won her Liberty— The Trutli of that Hard Struggle — What the World thought of it and its Heroic Leader — What History must say of it, . . . . . . 330

SECTION TWENTIETH.

THE PRESENT AND THE FnTDRB OP TEXAS.

A Survey of the Condition of Texas — Her Resources in 1850 — The Probable Destlay of that State, ■ . . . . . . S47

Section Twenty-first. Houston's Education And Eloquence

His Intellectual Life — Characteristics of his Speeches — Speaking right on — An Effective Orator — Non-Intervention in Foreign Affairs — Opinion of Kossuth — Meeting of Kossuth and Houston — Disunion Rebuked — The Great Compromise Measures of 1S50 — Satire on Demagogism — Final Appeal in Favor >i tlie Indians — Our Injustice to the Red Men — How we have treated the Indians —They can be Civilized— They Shall, 851

Section Twenty-second

nODSTON Ar BOMB . I

Houston at Home — His Union with the Christian Church — His Family — His Wife and Cliildren— His History, and the Moral of his Example — His Future and Ours. 3S7

LIFE or SAM HOUSTOI.

I

There are moments in our lives on whicli fortune suspends our future history ; and when we meet the crisis like men, she takes care of the future for us. Once past the hour of trial, there are no more hardships to undergo, no more dangers to encounter. The gates, which guard the way to glory, are swung wide open to the advancing hero, and he treads the path of light and triumph, as the Roman conqueror marched up to the temple of Jupiter, through the streets of the Eternal City.

II

So, too, there are days in the lives of Nations, when fortune suspends the enduring glory of a people upon a single hour — when they are called to decide what their future history shall be — whether their banners shall float over new empires, extend-

14 TRIAL DAA'S TO NATIONS.

ing their liberty, laws, and civilization over oppressed and benighted millions, crushing old structures of despotism, breaking the arm of the tyrant, and melting away the rotten fabrics of hoary superstitions, to emancipate whole peoples — or, whether the wheels of their national greatness shall stand still, and the solemn prolamation go forth, that they have reached the furthest limits of their civilization — that the race of their daring young men is suddenly arrested — that there shall be no new field for untrodden adventure and lofty achievement — that the world, and even despotism itself, may roll its wheels of conquest up to their frontier borders, and enlarge the empire of tyranny and Buperstition at its will, for they have done tJizir work. They have extended the bright circle of their freedom and power, till they can extend it no longer. No bold woodsman may pass their limits, and plunge off into the wilds, to cut out for himself and bis children a home in God^s own forests, for his government will never protect the squatter adventurer, albeit the James River settler, and uncompromising Puritan, were nothing more.

III

And if so be that one after another of these forest heroes has led the way through the green woods beyond the Sabine, and they can, at least, show the traveller the smoke of ten thousand new cottages, wreathing up into the clear blue sky of New Estramadura ; and if so be this new race of Puritans, Cavaliers, Huguenots and outlaws, all fraternally mingled, have built up the beautiful fabric of a new, free commonwealth, for all the world to come for a home ; and done it withal, while they were protecting their wives and little children from savages, made remorseless by Puritan ^rc-wa^er, and from the enervated, perfidious Mexicans — why, even after these hunter-legislators, these Bquatter-founders of States, have done all the hard work, this

RUBICON-HOURS. 16

old Republic, wliose wheels can roll no further, will not even accept what no other nation ever had to offer — the free gift of a mighty domain, declared independent, as New York and Virginia were eighty years ago, although the offering be made without money and without price

IV

Yes, these trial days come to nations, as they come to men. One of those Rubicon-hours came on the cold bleak Rock of Plymouth, where a little band of liberty-loving men landed, unaer the cover of a keen northern blast, to begin the great business for which Anglo-Saxons crossed the Atlantic, of founding free commmonwealths. Virginia, too, had her hour, and her cavaliers went through Indian-haunted woods, as Marshal Ney's cavalry charged through the Black Forest.

At last, after much debate, and more stupid misconception, the New Republic came, and laid on our Federal Altars her young shield. It was riddled with rifle bullets, and battered by the tranchant strokes of the tomahawk. You need not have looked very close to have seen, too, the ghostly image of Mexican treachery, filling up the interstices. What an offering was this ! A young hero-people, a new Rome, coming out of the forests, walking in light, and clothed in strength, — advancing in manliness up to our altars.

When the future historian shall tell his readers that the Young Republic was driven away from our capitol, and her shield hurled back in her face — they will not believe it. That the Representatives of America debated, hesitated, laughed Texas to scorn — will, to the next generation, seem a malignant

16 TEXAS IN TH E U N luN .

invention of the historian. But it was so — and the last resource of Republicanism was resorted to. The Texan banner was flung to the breeze, and the people of this country were asked to settle the question. And over the hills of New England, the rallying cry rang, where the young American Eagle first unfurled his wings — and far up the valley of the Mississippi, aud down to the Florida coast — and back came the glorious shout of a grateful welcome, and Texas came into the Union.

VI

It was a proud day when her senators took their seats. Greatest of the Texans, came that wondrous man, who stood by the side of the Young Republic, leaning on his rifle, and rocked her infancy in those far-off wilds. Yes, there he stood, on the threshold of the Senate Chamber, bringing in his arms — not like the triumphant generals of Rome — the fine gold or precious stones of distant barbaric princes, lashed to his victorious car — • but a new and a vast empire. There stood the tall, erect form of the care-worn chieftain — his locks turned prematurely grey by the hardships of a revolutionary frontier life. His wounds were upon him ; he had bled freely in the service of two Republics. Let us inquire something of his history.

Houston's ancestry and youth. IT

Section Second

i.

ANCESTRY AND YOUTH. 1.

Gen. Sam Houston was born the 2d of March, 1193, in Rockbi'idge county, Yirginia, seven miles east of. Lexington, at a place known as Timber Ridge Church. The day of his birth he was, many years afterwards, to celebrate as the anniversary of the birth of a new republic — for it was on his natal day that Texas declared herself free and independent.

His ancestors, on his father's and mother's side, are traced back to the Highlands of Scotland. They are there found fighting for " God and liberty," by the side of John Knox. During those times of trouble, they emigrated with that numerous throng of brave men and women, who were driven away from their Highland homes to seek a refuge in the north of Ireland. Here they remained till the siege of Derry, in which they w^cre engaged, when they emigrated to Pennsylvania. For more than a century these families seemed to have kept together in all their wanderings, and at last a union was formed between tliera, by the marriage of his jiarents, who had been sometime settled in Yirginia, when the birth of the subject

of this book took place. 2

18 Houston's mother.

III.

His father was a man of moderate fortune ; indeed, he seemg to have possessed the means only of a comfortable subsistence. He was known only for one passion, and this was for a military life. He had borne his part in the Revolution, and was successively the Inspector of Gen. Bowyer's and Gen. Moore's Brigades. The latter post he held till his death, which took place in 1801, while he was on a tour of inspection among the Alleghany Mountains. He was a man of powerful frame, fine bearing, and indomitable courage. These qualities his sou inherited, and they were the only legacy he had to leave him.

IV.

His mother was an extraordinary woman. She was distinguished by a full, rather tall, and matronly form, a fine carriage, and an impressive and dignified countenance. She was gifted with intellectual and moral qualities, which elevated her, in a still more striking manner, above most of her sex. Her life shone with purity and benevolence, and yet she was nerved with a stern fortitude, which never gave way in the midst of the wild scenes that chequered the history of the frontier settler. Her beneficence was universal, ^nd her name was called with gratitude by the poor and the suffering. Many years afterwards, her son returned from his distant exile, to weep by her bedside when she came to die.

V.

Such were the parents of this man. Those who know his history, will not be astonished to find that they were of that

HARD W n K FOR THE BOY. 19

noble race, wliicli first subdued the wilderness of Virginia, tlie forests of Teuuessee, aud tlie ferocity of tlieir savage iuliabitants. It is a matter of some interest to inquire, what were the means of education offered to tliis Virginia boy. We have learned from all quarters, that he never could be got into a schoolhouse, till he was eight years old, nor can we learn that he ever accomplished much, in a literary way, after he did enter. Virginia, which has never become very famous for her district schools, had still less to boast of forty years ago. The State made little or no provision, by law, for the education of its citizens, and each neighborhood was obliged to take care of its rising population. Long before this period, Washington College, had been removed to Lexington, and a " Field school " was kept in the ruined old edifice, once occupied by that institution. This school seems, from all accounts (and we have taken some pains to inform ourselves about this matter), to have been of doubtful utility. Houston is said to have learned to read and write, and to have gained some imperfect ideas of ciphering. Late in the fall and the winter, were the only seasons he was allowed to improve even the dubious advantages of such a school. The rest of the year he was kept to hard work. If he worked very well, he was sometimes permitted to run home from the fields, to be in time to retain his place in spelling. But it is doubtful if he ever went to such a school more than six months in all, till the death of his father, which took place when he was thirteen years old. This event changed at once the fortunes of the family. They had been maintained in comfortable circumstances, chiefly through the exertions of the father, anc' aow they were to seek for other reliances.

VL

Mrs. Houston was left with tlie heavy burden of a numt ous

20 EMIGRATION TO THE WEST.

family. She had six sous aud three daughters. But she was uot a woman to succumb to misfortuue, aud she immediately sold out her homestead, and prepared to cross the Alleghany Mountains, aud find a new home on the fertile banks of the Tennessee River. Those of our readers who live in a crowded population, surrounded by all that embellishes civilized life, may be struck with the heroism of a Virginia woman who, fifty years ago, took up her journey through those unpeopled regions ; and yet few of them can have any adequate conception of the hardships such a heroine had to encounter. We hope the day may come when our young authors will stop writing and dreaming about European castles, with their crazy knights and lady-loves, and hunting through the mummy-hauuted halls of the pyramids, and set themselves to work to glean the unwritten legends of heroism and adventure, which the old men would tell them, who are now smoking their pipes around the roof-trees of Kentucky and Tennessee — a race which is too rapidly fading away : to return no more.

YIL

There is room for the imagination to play around the toilsome path of this widow and her children, as she pushed her adventurous way to her forest home. Some facts, too, of wild interest, are in our possession — but we shall hurry on with our story, for, if we mistake not, our readers will find romaiice enough in this history, to satisfy the wildest fancy. Fired still with the same heroic spirit which first led them to try the woods, our daring little party stopped not till they reached the limits of the emigration of those days. They halted eight miles from the Tennessee River, which was then the boundary between white men and the Cherokee Indians.

Houston's education. 21

YTII.

Young Houston was now set to work with the rest of the family, in breaking up the virgin soil, and providing the means of subsistence. There seems to have been very little fancy in his occupations, for some time; he became better acquainted than ever with what is called hard work, — a term which has a similar signification in all languages and countries.

There was an Academy established in that part of East Tennessee, about this time, and he went to it for a while, just after Hon. Mr. Jarnagiu, who long represented his State in the United States Senate, had left it. He had got possession, in some way, of two or three books, which had a great power over his imagination. No boy ever reads well, till he feels a thirst for intelligence: and no surer indication is needed that this period has come, than to see the mind directed towards those gigantic heroes who rise like spectres from the ruins of Greece and Rome, towering high and clear above the darkness and gloom of the Middle Ages. He had, among other works, Pope's Iliad, which he read so constantly, we have been assured on the most reliable authority, he could repeat it almost entire from beginning to end. His imagination was now fully awakened, and his emulation began to be stirred. Reading translations from Latin and Greek, soon kindled his desire to study those primal languages, and so decided did this propensity become, that on being refused, when he asked the master's permission, he turned on his heel, and declared solemnly that he would lever recite another lesson of any other kind while he lived — and from what we have been able to learn of his history, wo think it very probable that he kept his wordl But he had gathered more from the classic world through Pope's Iliad, than many a ghostly book-worm, who has read Euripides or ^schylua among the solemn rums of the Portico itself. He had caught

22 HOUSTON BECOMES AN INDIAN.

the " wonted fire" that still " lives in the ashes " of their heroes, and his future life was to furnish the materials of an epic more strange than many a man's, whose name has become immortal.

IX.

His elder brothers seem to have crossed his wishes occasionally, and by a sort of fraternal tyranny quite common, exercised over him some severe restraints. At last they compelled him to go into a merchant's store, and stand behind the counter. This kind of life he had little relish for, and he suddenly disappeared. A great search was made for him, but he was nowhere to be found for several weeks. At last intelligence reached the family, that Sam had crossed the Tennessee river, and gone to live among the Indians, where, from all accounts, he seemed to be living much more to his liking. Tbey found him, and began to question him on his motives for this novel proceeding, Sam was now, although so very young, nearly six feet high, and standing straight as an Indian, coolly replied that " he preferred measuring deer tracks, to tape — that he liked the wild liberty of the Red men, better than the tyranny of his own brothers, and if he could not study Latin in the Academy, he could, at least, read a translation from the Greek in the woods, and read it in peace. So they could go home as soon as they liked,"

X,

His family, however, thinking this a freak from which he would soon recover when he got tired of the Indians, gave themselves no great uneasiness about him. But week after week passed away, and Sam did not make his appearance. At last his clothes were worn out, and he returned to be refitted.

RUNNING WILD AMONG THE INDIANS. 23

He was kindly received by his mother, and, for awhile, his brothers treated him with due propriety. But the first act of tyranny they showed, drove him to the woods again, where he passed entire months with his Indian mates, chasing the deer through the forest with a fleetness little short of their own — engaging in all those gay sports of the happy Indian boys, and wandering along the banks of the streams by the side of some Indian maiden, sheltered by the deep woods, conversing in that universal language which finds its sure way to the heart. From a strange source we have learned much of his Indian history, during these three or four years, and, in the absence of facts, it would be no difficult matter to fancy what must have been his occupations. It was the moulding period of life, when the heart, just charmed into the fevered hopes and dreams of youth, looks wistfully around on all things for light and beauty — " when every idea of gratification fires the blood and flashes on the faucy — when the heart is vacant to every fresh form of delight, and has no rival engagements to withdraw it from the importunities of a new desire." The poets of Europe, in fancying such scenes, have borrowed their sweetest images from the wild idolatry of the Indian maiden. Houston has since seen nearly all there is in life to live for, and yet he has been heard to say that, as he looks back over the waste of life, there's much that is sweet to remember in this sojourn he made among the untutored children of the forest.

XI.

And yet, this running wild among the Indians, sleeping on the ground, chasing wild game, living in the forests, and reading Homer's Iliad withal, seemed a pretty strange business, and people used to say that Sam Houston would either be a great Indian chief, or die in a mad-house, or be governor of

24 HOUSTON STUDIES THE INDIANS.

the State — for it was very certain tliat some dreadful thing would overtake him !

Well, it may have been doubtful, and it was for a long time, what all this would end in. But the mystery. has cleared away, somewhat, since the battle of San Jacinto. Certain it is that his early life among the Indians was, as the event proved, a necessary portion of that wonderful training that fitted him for his strange destiny. There he was initiated into the profound mysteries of the red man's character, and a taste was formed for forest life, which made him, many years after, abandon once more the habitations of civilized men, with their coldness, their treachery, and their vices, and pass years among the children of the Great Spirit, till he finally led the way to the achievement of the independence of a great domain, and the consolidation of a powerful Commonwealth.

XII.

Guided by a wisdom all His own, the Ruler of Nations led him by an unknown path, and his wild history reminds us of the story of Romulus, who was nurtured by the beasts of the forest, till he planted the foundations of a mighty Empire. With the history of the Father of Rome, the pens of poets have played — and it would seem, after all, to have been but a prophesy in fable, whose fulfilment the world has waited for till our days. Certain it is, too, that no man whose history we know, has lived on this continent, who has had so complete a knowledge of the Indian character — none who could sway so powerful a control over the savage mind. During his entire administration of the government of Texas, not an Indian tribe violated a treaty with the Republic ; and it is nearly as safe to say, that during the administration of others, not a tribe was known to make or regard one.