WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
243
you in the cause. I am very anxious to have your views briefly on the prospect; and if you will keep me advised of its progress, it will lay me under an obligation I shall take pleasure in requiting. In my judgment, the least possible notoriety should attend the case in New Orleans, no matter what the result may be. Nor do I think it was the best policy to have pressed the courts of T'exas.• They may be easily made to follow the law, while they have not the nerve to pronounce it. You will please call on Mr. Grimes. Let me hear from you. · J. N. Reynolds. Ovid F. Johnson, Esq." "New York, May 22, 1847. My Dear Sir: Can you not contrive through Jen- nings, of New Orleans, to get at the judge's opinion. His mind must ere this have been made up. Tell Jen- nings to get it out of the clerk of the district or of the circuit court. Tell him that you must have it for me in advance of the mail. Do your best to have the decision go off quietly in New Orleans. As Jennings is now interested, tell him he must work to our hands. All this you can do from your acquaintance with him. You may promise him your influence as to the future, and it will not be less potential than the Duke. I would give anything to know at this moment, as I could so much better shape my action with Mr. M. Indeed, if we get a favorable opinion, and have the news in advance, I shall go by lightning to Texas. J. N. Reynolds. Ovid F. Johnson, Esq." The declarations of these letters perhaps surpass anything ever seen .in a correspondence of this nature, in shameless effrontery; and the betrayal of corrupt intentions. It is openly advised that "the best should be done to have the decision go off quietly in New Orleans"; that "the least possible not01·iety should attend the case." It is recommended that dishonorable influences should be used with the officers of the court there; and it is admitted that they had been made interested in the case. Not satisfied with the part he had already taken in the making up and direction of this suit, but rivaling his confederates in the steps taken towards influencing officers of the court, we find Judge Watrous leaving his court at Galveston to attend the court at New Orleans during the progress of the suit; thus giving
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