WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855 183 they had never paid a: dollar into the company's hands, but were living now upon the money paid in by the stockholders who were induced to subscribe under the supposition that it was a bona fide concern. Their intention, he said, was to issue $100,000,000 of stock, predicated on the 20 sections of land per mile, to be got from Texas. This was to be thrown on the market and sold for what it would bring. Then, they would put the money in their pocket, laugh at Texas and say, "you didn't get the $300,000 and you haven't got the road;" and then, the stockholders who had paid in the money, would be petitioning our legislature to give them relief in the shape of land. · Gen. Houston said, we would have been broken down by these men had they not been checked; and yet they pass unscratched by scorpions. I do not believe in Lynch Law, but if a 1·espectable number of citizens of Texas were to take these fellows out and administer a decent number of lashes, accompanied by a coat of tar and feathers, and then turn them loose without injury, I would stand off and say I didn't advise it, but I reckon it was well done. Gen. Houston said, I do not expect to ride on a railroad in Texas. If I do not get rode on a rail, I shall come off well; and sometimes considering the attacks that are made upon me, and the circum- stances by which I am surrounded, I have good reasons to expect the latter. My colleague and I have differed on several occa- sions on great political questions. I have given him the credit for honesty of purpose, and I claim the same for myself. I am about to leave the service of the State, and retire to private life, and shall most certainly resign my commission as Senator. My honesty is before the world, and if I have done my country wrong, the record will condemn me. I have been accused of catering to the Presidency. Why need I want the Presidency? I have twice been President, and although not on as large a theatre as the U. S., yet the future will show that no President of the United States has ever had the opportunity of doing as much for his country, as I could have done for Texas. Gen. H. then proceeded to comment upon some strictures passed upon his actions by a meeting held in San Augustine County. He said that so far as the majority of the citizens of that county were concerned, he did not fear to trust his reputation in their hands. They were endeared to him by recollections of past favor and support which he could never forget, and at some early period, he intended to address them in. his own defence. But, as for
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