377
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
as a certain production entitled "Houston Displayed," which he had not read, nor was a page of it ever read in his hearing. He said that he was compelled to regard defamers as enemies to good order, as well as good government. That he never had nor ever would read any piece written by men who sought to build a reputation by assailing honest fame, or who might design to divert the public. attention from the examination of their own actions, by accusing others of high offences or great faults. Now, Judge Burnet, I beg leave in the assistance which I propose to render you in bringing up the reminiscences of Texas history to inform you (as well as those whom you have been amusing so instructively by accusing every prominent individual in Texas with crimes and delinquencies that you deemed in your way to office) of some traits of character which yo1J, have mani- fested; and which your extreme modesty may have prevented your boasting of; or it may be, that independent of these extraneous helps, your claims were sufficiently illustrious and imposing to impress the community with your immediate qualities- or, as the editor of the Telegraph would say, your morality, patriotism, wisdom, and sobriety." ( !) You have in your numbers of "Publius" charged Gen. Houston with beastly intemperance, and other vices degrading to humanity. You must ( notwithstand- ing your many high and exalted attributes,) have the misfortune to have a very bad memory. You must be aware that for several evenings in succession while you were attending the convention in Houston as Vice President elect, that you were so deeply intoxi- cated at Kesler's, in the Round Tent, that several gentlemen were induced through pity, to have you removed to a private place, to prevent the most indecent exposure- this you cannot deny!!! Nor will you deny that at Austin, during the first session of Congress, while you were presiding officer of the Senate, you did on Friday, and Saturday, act in such sort as to be called to order several times by the members of the Senate. Among those by whom you ,vere called to order was Oliver Jones, Senator from Austin county. You, though the presiding officer, joined in the discussion of subjects then under consideration before that body. Would any sober Vice President have done this? I will let you answer that question. The Senate adjourned at an earlier hour than usual, to avoid further confusion. Sunday then inten·ened, when you had a child baptized, and yourself partook of Holy Sacrament- thus "stealing the livery of heaven to serve the devil in." On Monday following, you were so deeply intoxicated
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