WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1830
192
my reception had been at the city, and to denounce all those, who had treated me with cordiality; or respect: and did not even spare the highest officers, known to the constitution of the Union! He then stated, that it was understood that I intended to return by way of Tennessee, and if I dared to do so, that I should meet a fate, most apalling to humanity - Previous to this time, I had heard of many threats of vengeance from the same source, and as I had business in Nashville, you may suppose I would give it attention! As I dislike personalities, I will not mention the name. of the individual but that you may be able to judge of any affinity which may exist between the letter referr'd to, and the report of the committee; I will assure you, that the person, to whom I allude has acquired more notoriety, by his known inter- meddling officiousness, and self complacency, than he has ever attracted admiration, by the propriety of his conduct, or the splendor of his Genius! Now Sir, a few general reflections cannot be out of place! Was it thro' me, or by my agency, or seeking, that this private and domestic circumstance, was ever extended beyond the family cir- cle, and promulgated in society? No. clearly not, as my letter published by the committee shews! - -. - Yet all the consequences resulting even in exile, and the wilderness! Had a moment of public excitement produced a committee; when the circumstances had recently occurred, there might some excuse have been found for such a proceeding - but when a twelve month had passed by, it seemed to be uncalled for, except by idle suggestions, and information, upon which the committee thought fit, to found their formal report; against me! In the character of the committee, I discovered, an imposing array of Titles: - 8S I presume; to render the proceedings of the committee at a distance, most weighty and dignified! As incUvicluals the members of the com- mittee had a right to think of, and animadvert upon my "conduct, and character as tl\ey might deem fit. (but not as a body to ad- minister upon it). Each individual in society, had the undoubted right to do the same, and no more! When has society before witnessed the convention, of a committee, for the purpose of taking up the 1n·ivate and the domestic circumstances, of a Private person, and in public and solemn manner reporting thereupon? I had ceased to be a public functionary, and of course, not liable to the action of public censure, unless for the infraction of pub- lic law!
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