WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 185_9
283
To cap the climax of effrontery exhibited in the parade made of old Gonzales's testimony, but one circumstance was wanting: and that seems to have been supplied by that useful creature, John Treanor. At the same examination before the commissioner at New Orleans, he is actually introduced to testify to the respect- ability of the deponent, Gonzales. The further wonder appears that he gets his information from Hewitson. And as to Hewitson's former deposition to the genuineness of the power of attorney, a few words just here may dispose of the question of the veracity, generally, of his statement. He had sworn, in his deposition at Galveston, that Gonzales was dead. Yet it appears, from the testimony, that Gonzales and himself lived in the same town, and were well acquainted with each other, "acquaintances of long standing"! It is not necessary to canvass the truth of Mr. Hewitson's statement, after this revelation. However, the monstrous contradiction introduced here affords another apt illustration of the boldness of Judge Watrous and his confederates, in pressing the ends of their conspiracy. In 1855, Hewitson, who was, as I have stated, one of the heaviest suitors in Watrous's court, is at Galveston. At that time the Lapsley cases are in transitu, and are filed and tried, within sixty days; at New Orleans. In this emergency, it suited the purposes of Judge Watrous and his confederates, that Hewitson should come forward and swear that his townsman and neighbor was dead. Yet a little while after, it suited their purpose, they have the extreme and almost incredible effrontery to introduce the formerly dead townsman and neighbor, as a living witness, under a certificate of respectability obtained from Hewitson him- self. Can there be any defiance of truth more extreme, more unblushing, and more revolting in its shamelessness than this? So far, I have followed with patience the general narrative of this stupendous and far-reaching conspiracy, through its wind- ings, and devices. I have done this to show the ramifications of the plot, and to illustrate the boldness of the actors. That bold- ness, I have shown to be especially displayed in the desperate attempts made to impose upon the courts a forged power of attor- ney, in the procurement and benefits of which forgery Judge Watrous was largely interested. However, there is one simple and summary view of the whole matter, that, to my mind, is so conclusive of the fraud of the parties in the La Vega land transaction, that I cannot conceive how a rational mind can require further proof of, or remain in doubt with respect to, the existence of corruption among the
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