• WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
389
He then took up the study of law in the office of William H. Jack, one of the popular lawyers of Texas at that time. In 1845, he entered the Harvard Law School, where he studied with Greenleaf and Story, the eminent law writers, who were then professors at Harvard. There he also became a master of the Latin, the French, and the Spanish languages. In 1847 ne returned to Texas and formed a law partnership with Robert J. Townes at Brazoria. And at Brazoria he gave much of his attention to the develop- ment and management of his plantations. In 1853, however, he decided to leave his farm operations to overseers, and he, thereafter, gave his full time to his law practice; in 1856 he was elected district judge of the First Judicial District, composed at that time of Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Austin, Fayette, Colorado, Wharton, and Matagorda counties; and in 1858, he was elected an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the State. In this position he won the reputation of being an efficient, just and able judge. He held the office until 1864, when he returned to his private practice. James H. Bell was an uncompromising opponent to secession, but he rendered eminent service to the people of Texas in the troubles which occurred in 1873, upon the election of Governor Richard Coke to succeed E. J. Davis. Davis called upon General Grant for aid, and asked for Federal troops to maintain himself in the gubernatorial chair. Bell went to Washington and presented the facts of the controversy in their true light to the Federal authorities, whereupon, President Grant failed to interfere in behalf of the Davis faction. As a cultured, Christian gentleman, and as an able lawyer, Texas has produced few peers of James Hall Bell. See James D. Lynch, Bench and Ba1· of Texas, 293-294, 533-608; J. H. Daven- port, The History of the Supreme Com·t of Texas, 56-58; Frank Lotto, Fayette County, Her History and He1· People, 205; A. P. McCormick, Scotch- Irish in Ireland and in Ame1·ica, 59, 129-132, 159-160; 85 Texas, XII-XIX (this is the memorial address delivered by Judge George Goldthwaite before the Supreme Court of Texas, on June 17, 1893); the gravestone in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Texas. PROCLAMATION ORDERING ARMED BANDS WITHIN THE STATE TO DISPERSE, DECEMBER 28, 1859 1 Whereas, information has reached the Executive that armed bands are in existence, Creating ·serious disturbances, affecting the peace and dignity of the State, and the Security of a number of its Citizens, Now Therefore, I, Sam Houston, Governor of the State of Texas, do hereby command all persons connected with and engaged in the same, who may be Citizens of this State, to return to their homes and to the exercise of their lawful Occupations; and all persons holding allegiance to a foreign government, if any there be, who may be connected with such disturbances, are hereby notified that if arrested with arms in their hands, they will be treated as bandits and invaders.
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