Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-03-21
MISCELLANY.
GENERAL MOSELEY BAKER,
Or, The True Reformer of Texas

For the town oil Sdu Telpe LIE AuStiu, oi
the west hank of the Brazos, in September,
1892 stranger attended, whose appearance
and cocduct alike became the subject of
general remark. He was young man,
some twenty-five years OF age, with hand-
some features, an elegant figure, and habited
in clothing much superior 10 that usually
worn at that era in Texas. So far as il might
be said there was nothing to excite special
attention but then it soon rransplred that
this person. with the dress and manners of a
gentleman, had entered The village on foot,
and Instead of taking board at the tavern,
had sought out the hut of poor Mexican,
with whom he had effected contract, not
only for years lodging, but also for iu-
struction in the Spanish language, paying i'll
advance a splendid gold watch.
Besides, there was something very pecu-
liar in the strangers countenance which
could not fail To strike the most careless OBJ
server of physiognomy it was a look of
mournful regret, as for loss al once mighty
and recoverable, and yet relieved by the
EXPRESSION of a brave resolution to dare, do,
and endure still, and to all eternity, if fate
should ordain it.
During the session of the court he might
ALWAYS be seen ia one place, seated on a
small bench which he had provided for HIM
self in corner, with several volumes around
him and when nothing of interest was go>
ing on of forensic nature, he held one per-
peluaIly before his fac blue eyes. His books
proved hlm a student OF the law. They
were Blackstone, a Latin copy of Justininn,
and the statutes Of Coahuila and Texas in
Spanish and English, to which might be
added Byrou's 'Ch,Ide HaroId'-the latter.
perhaps as II sol of gloomy medicine for
the wounds of proud and melancholy spir>
il, "A mind diseased and fevered over false
creations.
Thomas J. Rusk, now senator from
Texas, was present at the alcalde's court OH
the occasion referred to, and, with his chars
acteTistic generosity, felt deep interest for
Ihe triendless and stidious stranger, whom
he sool contrived to engage in discourse.-
The future statesman, one Of the keenest
Judges thar ever read the human heart, was
aslonished and delighted with his new ac-
quaiutance. He found Moseley Baker, as
the other called himself. classical scholar.
but only just commencing the science of jul
risprudence. He seemed as eloquent in
speech as he was profound and varied in
thought, and manifested moreover, in a strik-
ing degree, the union OF strong praclicability
and ardent enthdslasin, which together form
tie subsirafum of Rusk's own character,
both AS man ana pOlIllcian.
But ever aud auon, as the stranger con-
versed there would fiji across his face, as
the shadow from the wing OF thunder cloud
that look OF regret, the memory of a name
less lost! Rusk became more and more in.
terestrd but he was too kind as well as too
courteous 10 probe the secret sore. He did
much better he proffered the right sorr OF
aid.
souled Texan, and most strangers, like my
self, at first commonly arrive with bur slen-
der meaus, | wish you 10 remember that you
mav use both my influence ani my purse as
ii they were your own.
A bright tear of gratitude spark'ed in the
blue eve of Baker, as he replied simply, 4
thank you from my heart, aud would be glad
TO obtain the loan OF ten dollars tor one year.
as am very ANXIOUS 10 purchase copy OF
Starkie's Evidence, which Judge Webb has
10 sell
Rusk coanied out the sum and handed il 10
the other, reuarking as he did SO, Il fear
that Starkie will avail bu, litie to prepare
you for the Texan bar, as all proceedings are
regulated by the civil, not the common law :
'lt will not be So long said Baker, with
singular animation. and utering pretic-
tion verified 10 the letter. Next year, he
continued, they will give us American al
caites, who, knowing no other, will decide
by tue common law aud then IN three years
Texas will he independent and have la "
OF her own
Rusk started. 1t was the music of his
own dream-thar grand word, 'indepen
dence y and from the instant they were DO
som friends.
During the next twelve months Moseley
Baker was busy among his books, by day
seated under the shade of 2 superb magno
liza near The banks oil the Brazos, and al nj gil
coming Spanish lessons in the hut of the
poor Mexican. The court of September
came round again, aud he applied TO the al
calde for license as an attorney. A commit
tee OF lawyers was appointed TO examine his
proficiency; and the state OF learning com
mon 10 the bar al that period may be inferred
when it is stated that the committee soor
found themselves transported into water be-
yond their utmost depth by the student OF q
single year!
He had thoroughly mastered not only
Spanish, but the Spanish laws, aud he SEEM
ed to have both Blackstone and Juslnian by
heart. Besides, he had composed for biz
own use a thorough digest of all the DEGREES
ordinances, and contradictory statutes, no
only of the supreme Mexican federation, buI
and Texas. The commute reported an eu-
iogy, and Mosely Baker received his first IL
cense.
The next day Rusk invited the new attor
ney to make volunteer speech in one of his
own Gases. 1t was IN immense land suit foi
the possession of fifty leagues; and then
might be seen the first golden fruits of Ba'
kers seclusion in The hut Of The poor but moi
illiterate Mexican. He read the astonshed
nlcade an array of authorities which might
have puzzled the highest forum in the city OF
MonteZiImas, ennciating the most beautiful
Spanish, and transating II all like a thought
into English. His learning and eloquence
won the cause. The alcalie had too much
good sense not to adjudge every point in ia
vor of an orator who spoke his ow language
so correctly, and, besides. appeared to be
familiar with the laws of the world.
The fame of Moseley Baker was estab-
lished in Texas-a star fixed IN the firma-
msnt beyond the power Of change. Clients
poured into his office, his renown spread, he
received messages with offers of thousand
dollar fees from every section of the State,
till success won him the nickname Of the
acaldes p0de mecwm.' zs.r--rs
And yetfslrange 10 say, the great lawyer
at times seemrd unhappy. The fire dimmesl
in his eye and tbs gloom darkened on his
brow and in his bOsoIn gnawed a ceaseless
grief that no wealth could appease, that the
din Of business could not drown, nor the
music Of tame sOotis with Lethean unur murs.
From the gay circle OF dancers, where smiles
made the starlight OF night, aud Besuty
showed her pictures Of the angels, he would