Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-04-25
THE KENTUCKY FORGER IN
TEXAS.

II is related Of that unfortunate man
Martin Brown-who was once promi
nent member Of the Kentucky Legisla
lure, but was confined in the penitentia
ry ior forgery-lhat when he first settled
in Texas the inhabitants we're deter
mined TO drive him out of Aus,in's set
clement of San Felipe, because he hat
been a convict Austin himself hat
forbidden such persons TO settle on hi
ground, and the colonial law, passed tJ
him, vas most strict, prohibiting an asy
lum 10 refugees, and all persons rendered
infamous by felonies, Of whatever des'
cription they might be-a law wlricl
the father Of Texas always enforced witt
the utmost rigor. Hence, as soon as the
settlers informed the General of thi:
new case, lie Immediately sent an order
warning Brown 10 decamp within three
days, on pain Of summary punishment
Tue messenger was William S.,
Austin's private secretary, young man
of cultivated intellect, noble heart, and
generous to a fault. He arrived at the
Green Heart Grove, the residence oil
Brown and his family, and found the
circle formed around their frugal table.
1t was their dinner hour.
s. forthwith delivered Austin's
written order, which Brown glanced
over. and then said mournfully.
"Tell Gen. Austin that shall never
move from this spot till l move into my
grave. 1t is true, committed great
crime in my native State; but ! also
suffered the severe penalty of the offend.
cd law; and then, with my dear wife and
children, who still loved me, stole away
from The eyes Of society, which / no
longer wished TO serve or injure, to live
in quiet ard die in peace. am ready
and willing to die; but on my family's
account, cannot and will not leave this
spot"
Hls wife and daughters implored him
to change his resolution. They avowed
their willingness again to undergo the
tolls and prIvations Of emigration, and,
If ncce ssary, to prepare new home in
and enirealips were alike vdtH:-1u
every argumen, Martain Brown gave
the same answer, in calm, sad voice
ut chose nv place of burial The first
day I set eyes on my little grove, and |
sIsall mol charge my mind now"
$ returned, deeply touched with
the scene he had Witnessed, related 10
General Austin the singular state ol
facts, and interceedcd urgently for a re-
taxation of the law, which rested in the
discretion The colonial chief.
"You have suffered yourself to be
smit,en by the charms of the beautiful
Emma" said Gen: Austin, with a smile.
s. tried 10 look indignant, which
effect merely resulted in burning blush.
81 will go and see Martin myself" "
added the General; "but he will have 10
make ont a strong case to alter my de-
termination. F."
When Austin arrived in the evening
at his destination, the family Of the Grove
we're almost distracted with g'icf. Mar
tin Browns counlenance alone wore its
old mask of marb e tranquility. His
story, told 10 Gen. Austin, was simple as
it was brief.
"Tt is trur," he said II was in The
Peniien,iary of Kentucky; but | was in
the Legislature before was in the state
prison, and while member of the Sen
ate, opposed with all my niieht the man.
ufaclure of so many banks. Those banks
soon afterwards bpggared thousands, and
among the rest me and my children.
was then tempted, in order TO save nly
family, to perpetiale a forgery, OF 10 dc
thai on small scale which the Stale
and the banks had so long been doing or
a large one. paid the forfeit of my
crime: While. the grand swindIers rolled
IN splendid affluence, | pined alone in a
felon's dungeon. Having served ont m,
time, | resolved never again 10 commi
another wrong. / have kept my vow
and have now but one sole desire, to b.
let alone or die"
Gen. Austin did let the old man alone
cancelled the order for his banishmenl
and was ever after his s.eadlast friend
s., the private secretary, made
other visist to the Green Hear, Grove
and the beautiful Emma is now the wife
Of an eminent lawyer and bright par
,icuar STAR of.iashion's sphere at Gal
weston. -.
Martin died at last in peace, and wa!
buried in his beloved grove, {at his spe.
cial request, in most fantastic manner
standing erect, in full hunters cos
tune, with his right hand raised toward
heaven, and his loaded rife on his lef
shoulder. His biography proves grea
lru,h--one which all the tones Of human
history proclaim, as. with The warning
cry Of million trumpe,s-''That th'
crimes ofgovernments never fail 10 pro
duce their counterparts in the vices o