Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-07-07
GENERAL. HOUSTON.


The first time ever saw Houston.
was, ! think, in the year le20. As |
was standing on College street. Nash
vile, Tennessee, with friend. "A fine
loohln, man dashed by Us. and was
induced 10 inquire his name.
That, sir, said my TREND, is Major
Houston, n young man of grca, pro-
miSe-who Is rapidly rising IN public
favor. He Is brave, has fought gallant
" with Gen. Jackson, and in the lapse
Of a few years, will be Governor of
Tennessee.
learned that Major Houston was
originally carpenter, but soon quilted
the profession. and commenced the
study Ut law. politics. and arms. To
the latter science he was most en,hu-
silstically devoted: but as war was now
at an end, he confined himself 10 poll
ties and law. Soon after he was elect
cd 10 Congress: aud a> member of the
House oi Representatives held COM
handing position. His popularity was
steady and rapid in the increase, and
the wear ISIS found him Governor of
the state Of Tennessee. In the wars
of l~lG-'l7, with the SemlnoleS and
Creeks, he distinguished himself as a
gallant soldier; and at the celebrated
battle of the Horseshoe, he was bad
" wounded in the arm, which disabled
him. I'm l~21, having in debate ami
madvcrted with severity ON the re-
moval of Mr.. Curry from the Post-Of-
fee al Nashville, and the appointment
of MIR. j. l.. Irwin, near relative Of
Mr.. Clay, he was challenged hv that
gentleman to mortal combat. The "ar-
tics met IN kcniuckv-lrWin was shot
and badly wounded: and though no
exceptions were taken 10 the mode In
which Houston conducted himself on
the occasion, an indictment was obtain
ed against him. for political effect, a.
he was at that time candidate Tor the
office of Governor of Tennessee.
On the 10Th of February. lS2~,
whilst holding the Office of Chief Ma.
giStrate OF Tennessee, he challenged
+ Chapman Johnson, of Virginia. TO the
N
IT the Virginia Convention 81 that
year, Johnson reported an address 10
the people of virginia, recommending
the reelection of Mr.. Cav. and in that
address, those who had participated in
the battle at the Horse-Shoc, as GOV.
Houston understood it, were treated
with great severity. rs one Of the
battle, GOV. Houston demanded redress
! from Mr.. Johnson IN reply to which
that gentleman answered, Tint the adj
dress was the production of Convcn-
ton of two hundred, and he could not
consider himself personally sponsiblc
for The acts of that body.
On the 10th day of April, ISIS
Gov. Houston formally resigned the Of
fee of Gov. of Tcnncs cc. and left the
state. Assuming The earb OF an In
dian, he departed for the remote scenes
of Arkansas, and resolved 20 spend his
DAYS in perpetual exile. His letter Of
resignation TO MIR. Speaker Cali is one
of the most beautiful productions Of The
Kind uoW m existence. VI the time
be resigned the robes of office, be had
but Just been married To- a beautiful
woman. one Of the most respectable
ladies of Tennessee. They had been
married but a icw days, or week, at
most, before The lady rcpujla,cd her
allegiance &C. her lord, and claimed the
protection of her parents. The causes
that led To the separation have never
been unaNcllcd 10 the world. and IN
all probability will perish with the wife
and husband. Popular Glamour and
suspicion, were warmly excited against
Houston, and to avoid public opinion
r, hc himself said. be- became an exile
in Arkansas. Many allcgc TIA, be va,
compelled, such was thc excitement
against him tn abandon Tennessee
Aitcr having spent year or twoIH Ar
kansas be- bcclm engaged m some ar
my contracts which once more intro
duccd him to the walks Of civilized
life. In consequence Of these con-
tracts be was charged with fraud and
speculation by Mr. VIM. Stan berry. a
member IT Congress from Ohio A.
Nfl'N ~ wv Ifhi lf|i WV fdIa 'i illNh-
ton be- made h., appearance at Wash
ingion and taking thc llW IN his own
hand. nor.cd Shn,bcuy 10 pcnn,yl-
,anA Avenue. frthis breach Of the
privilege be- WIS arrested and rcru.
ioandrd AZ the Biroi thc House anil
another shade Of darluc,. va, added
io hl. character Although iow could
justify the ,1urc of Houston. fewer
piucI poor Stan berry. lie bad most
Justly mcnicd 100 hc received: lut for
sll lli. from tbc moment of The ou'-
rage until 'hp commencement of the
TcNhu war Houston wls looked upon
bv .hr Amrl.an people 70. base. q
lost man. ln l-i} De- commenced ihr
practice Of law 90 Na'chcH bot soon
abandoned 'hli place nr Texas. lrr
most probable that b., had ln sieV ,hc
conquest % that co.ntry thc moment
boo entered 81. The rest need na, be-
toil
Cen. Houston is moss about forty.