142
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
to aid General Taylor. The troops of Texas were called out, and, by a resolution of the Legislature, Governor Henderson was authorized to assume the command, which he did, and he acted a conspicuous part in the battle of Monterrey. He was one of the commissioners, on the part of the American forces, to negotiate the articles of capitulation of the garrison of Monterrey. On his return from the war he resumed the duties of Governor, and continued to execute them during the term for which he was elected, declining a reelection. Since that time, he has assidu- ously pursued the practice of the law, distinguished in his pro- fession, and eminently successful in the practice, until the meeting of the last Legislature, when he was elected unanimously, I believe, to fill the place in this body vacated by the lamented·event of General Rusk's death. Thus, gentlemen, you will perceive that he was no ordinary man. He made his mark upon the history of Texas; and the nation is not unacquainted with his reputation. He will be long remembered. He was a bold, enterprising spirit; a man of indomitable will, of daring enterprise, and firm of purpose. His intellect was of a high order, and cultivated to the extent that opportunities of professional engagements would permit. This is the colleague whose loss I have to deplore. I regret his death. To me, individually, it is but little; the bereavement falls not upon me as it will upon others. His friends had confidence in, and were ardently attached to him; they were deeply devoted to him; and the chord that is broken will be one of thrilling sensi- bility. When we contemplate the ties which bind man to man, we know that the course of events causes their separation ; but, sir, when we contemplate the deep agony of an affectionate wife that is now the bereaved widow, and the prattling children that are orphans in the world, here is a scene that closes the picture of true distress, and tells us that "The paths of glory lead but to the grave." Mr. President, I offer the following resolutions: Resolved, unanimously, That the members of the Senate, from a sincere desire of showing every mark of respect to the memory of the Hon. J. Pinckney Henderson, deceased, a Senator from the State of Texas, will go into mourning for the residue of the present session by the usual mode of wearing crape on the left arm. •
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