275
. WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1859
new discoveries of guilt, and sink deeper into the mire of false- hood and fraud. It will be instructive to note the parts which the different confederates of Judge ·watrous take, and the length to whi~h they go in seeking to establish a defense for him. To commence with League, one of the closest of his confederates: when examined in the course of the Watrous investigation, he strives to make it appear that when the copies of the depositions taken at Mexico were received at Galveston, he had repeated conver- sations with Robert Hughes in relation thereto; but that Judge Watrous discouraged or forbade any conversations with himself on the subject. I will here read some of the passages from the testimony to this effect: "Question, (by the chairman.) You spoke of having received a copy of a deposition from the clerk at New Orleans. You received that in Galveston? "Answer. Yes, sir. It was sent to Judge Hughes, not me. "Question. Was Judge Hughes in Galveston at that time? "Answe1·. I think he was. "Question. What time was that? "Answer. It must have been in the month of April, 1857. "Question. You are certain that that communication was sent to Judge Hughes? "Answer. I think it was. "Question. Whom did you consult as to the propriety of going to Mexico for Gonzales? · "Answer. With Judge Hughes. I might have men- tioned it to Judge ·watrous; I think I did. He called; but whenever I atternpted to say anything to him,, he would reply, 'go to Judge Hughes; I have nothing to do with it.' " . . . A copy of the depositions taken in Mexico was sent to Judge Hughes; Judge Hughes sent for me immedi- ately; ancl reacl it over. Some of it was in Spanish; but he made it out.'' "Question. Did you ta,lce from Jiulge Hughes any copy of the depositions taken in Mexico, impeaching the power of attorney? "Answer. I took the substance, but not an exact copy. "Question. You noted down on paper the substance? "Answer. Yes, I noted it down, and submitted it to niy Alabama friends. "Question. Did you note that from the depositions before you?
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