WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1831-] 832
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separated me from some of my associates, they have never been able to take away that respect for the collective body which I have ever proudly cherished. The personal associations I have enjoyed with many of those I now see around me, I shall ever remember with the kindest feelings. None of these things, how- ever, are to operate as the smallest extenuatio_n of my offence that shall be proved against me. All I demand is, that my actions may be pursued to the motives which gave them birth. Though it may have been alleged that I am "a man of broken fortune and blasted reputation," I never can forget that reputation, how- ever limited, is the high boon of heaven. Perhaps the circum- stances of adversity, by which I have been crushed, have made me cling to the little remains of it which I still possess, and to cherish them with the greater fondness. Though the ploughshare of ruin has been driven over me, and laid waste my brightest hopes, yet I am proud to think that, under all circumstances, I have endeavored to sustain the laws of my country, and to support her institutions. Whatever may be the opinions of gentlemen in relation to these matters, I am here to be tried for a substantive offence, disconnected entirely with my former life or circumstances. I have only to say to those who rebuke me, at the time when they see adversity sorely pressing up me, for myself "I seek no sympathies, nor need; The thorns which I have reaped are of the tree I planted; they have torn me, and I bleed." In support of the charge on which I am here arraigned, I ask, what facts have been adduced to prove either my motive or my course of action? I am well aware that this honorable body, in the incipient stages of this prosecution, acted under the allegation that I had been guilty of a very great outrage-that I had been lying in wait, and had been guilty of an attack upon an unarmed and helpless man. Sir, had I contemplated any such attack, I should have been prepared for the purpose. Had I thought it possible that, in walking on that avenue, I was to meet an individual who had aught against me, and was disposed to redress the wrong by a personal rencontre, should I have been found in the circumstances in which I was? Was I armed? Was I lying in wait? What says the testimony? My meeting with the member from Ohio was perfectly accidental. We came together wholly unexpectedly
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