The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-06-12
THE KENTUCKY FoRGER in TEXAS.

| THE KENTUCKY FoRGER in TEXAS.
1t is related of an unfortunate man, Martin
Brown~who was once prominent member OF
the Kentucky Legislature, but was confined in
the penitentiary for iorgery-that when he first
settledin Texas the inhabitants were determined
TO drive him out OF Austins settlement of San
Felipe, because he had been convict. Austin
himself had forbidden such persons to settle on
his ground, and the colonial law passed by him
was most strict, prohibiting an asylum to refugees
and all persons rendered infamous by felonies, OF
whatever description they might ga law which
the father OF Texas always enforced with the ut
most rigor. Hence, as soon as the settlers in
formed the general OF this new case, he imme-
diately sent an order warning Brown to decamp
within three days, on pain OF summary punish
ment The messenger was VIM. s., Aus.
TN private secretary, young man of cultivated
intellect, noble heart, and generous TO fault
He arrived at the Green Hear. Grove, the resi-.
dence of Brown and his family, one summers
noon, and found the family circle formed around
their frugal table. 1t was their dinner hour -
S. forthwith delivered Austins written or
der, which Brown glanced over, and then said
mournfully:
"Tell Gen. Austin that shall never move
from this spot till move into my grave. 1t
true, | committed great crime in nv native
State; but also suffered the severe penalty of
the offended law ; and then, with my dear wife
and children, who still love me- | stole away
from the eyes of society, which no longer wish
to serve or injure, to live in quiet and die in
peace. | am ready and willing to Gle but, on
my family's account, cannot and will not leave
this spot.
His wife and daughters mplored him to change
his resolution. They avowed their willingness
again to undergo the tolls and privatons of emf,
grafton, and, ii necessary, to prepare a new
home in the wilderness. But proyers, and tears,
and entreaties were alike in vain. To every ar
gument Martin Brown gave the same answer, in
a calm, sad voice.
81 chose my place of burial the first day set
eyes on my little grove, and | shall not change
my mind now"
s. returned, deeply touched with the
scene he had witnessed, related to Gen Austin the
singular state OF facts and interceded urgently Tor
relaxation OF the law, which rested in the dis
erection of the colonial chief
.'You have suffered yourself to be smitten by
the charms ct the beautiful Emma said Gen
Austin, with a smile.
S. tried to look indignant, which effort
merely resulted in burning blush.
81 will go and see Martin myselt,'' added the
Gen, ''but he will have to make out strong case
to alter my determination"
When Austin arrived in the evening at his |
destination, the family Of the grove were almost |
distracted with grief. Browns courtenauce
alone wore its old mask OF marble tranquility
His story told to Gen. Austin was simple as it |
was brief.
"lt is true," he said, 'I was in the penitentlary
OF Kentucky: but was in the Legislature be- I
fore was in the State Prison, and, while mem.
her OF the Senate, opposed with all my might the |
manufacture .of SO many banks. Those banks
soon afterwards beggared thousands and, among
the rest, me and my children. l was then temp |
ted in order 10 save my family, to perpetrate
forgery, or to do that on small scale which the
State and its banks had so long been doing on
large one. paid the forfeit of nv crime -
While the grand swindlers rolled in splendid at
huence, pinned alone in the felon's dungeon
Having served out my time, resolved never
again TO commit wrong. have kept my vow,
and have now but one sole desire, TO be let alone
die"
Gen. Austin did let the old man alone, conceal
ed the order for his Punishment, and was ever at.
ter his steadfast friend.
s., the private secretary made other Wis.
ITS to the Green Heart Grove, and the beautiful
Emma is now the wife of an eminent LAWYER
and 'bright particular star" OF fashions sphere
at Galveston.
Martin died at last in peace, and was buried in
his beloved grove, at his special request, in
most fantastic manner, standing erect, in full
hunters costume, with his right hand raised to-
wards heaven, and his loaded rifle on his left
shoulder. His biography proves great truth,
one which all the tones of human history pro.
claim, as with the warning cry OF million trum.
pets, "Ihat the crimes of governments never
iali to produce their countepafts in the vices of
their individual subjects -