Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-03-13
MISCE L A N Y.
GrnoM NoAu's SUNDAY TIMES. ]
DEAF sMITII---THE TEXAN SPY.

About two years after The Texan revolution, a
difficulty occurred between the new government
and portion Of the people, which threatened the
most serious consequences-even the bloodshed hor-
rors of civil war. Briefly, The cause was this: The
constitution had fixed the city Of Austin as the per-
manent capital, where the public archives were 10
be kept with the reservation, however, OF power
in the President to order their temporary removal
in case of danger from the nroadS ofa foreign ene-
my, or the force of sudden nsurrectlon.
Concevng that the exceptionpble emergency had
arrived, as the CGmanches frequently committed
ravages within sight of the capital itself, Houston,
who then resided at Washington, on The Brazos,
dispatched an order commanding his subordinate
functionares 10 send he state records to the latter
place, which he declared TO be, pro teMpore, the
seat of government
IL imrossible to describe the stormy excitement
which the PRONUNCIATION Of this fiat raised in Aus
tin. The keepers of hotels, boarding houses, gro
ceres, and faro banks, were thunderstruck, mad
dened to shrenzy for the measure would De death
blow 10 their prosperity in business and according
" they determined TO take steps TO avert The dan
ger, by opposing the execution of Houslon's man-
date. They called mass meeting Of the citizens
and farmers of the circumjacent country, who were
all more or less interested in the question; and after
many fiery speeches against the asserted tyranny
of the administration, it was unanimously resolved
10 prevent the removal Of the archives by open and
armed resistance To that end they organized
company of four hundred men, one moieiy of whom,
relieving the other at regular periods ofduty, should
keep constant guard around the state-house until
the peril passed by. The commander oft force
was one Colonel Morton, who had achieved consld-
erable renown in the war for Independence, and had
still more recently displayed desperate bravery in
two desperate duels, in both Of which he had cut
his antagonists nearly 10 pieces with the b)wle-
knife. Indeed, from the notorety OF his character
for revenge, as web as courage, 1t was thought that
President Houston would renounce his purpose
touching the archives, so soon as ne should learn
who was the leader Of the opposition.
Morton, on his part, whose vanity fully equalled
his personal prowess, encouraged and justified The
prevailing opinions by his boasllul threats. He
swore that if the President did succeed in removing
the records by the march of an overpowering force,
he would then himself hunt him down like wolf,
and shoot him with little ceremony, or stab him in
his bed, or wayiay him in his walks of recreation.
He even wrote TO the hero Of San Jacnto 10 that
effect The latter replied in note Of laconic bra
very:
.'If the people of Austin do not send the archives,
shall certainly come and take them and If Colo
mel Morton can kill me, he is welcome 10 my ear
CAPT"
On the reception of this answer the guard was
doubled aronnd the sate-house. Chosen sentlnels
were stationed along the road leading to the capital,
the military paraded the streets from morning TIL
night, and a select Caucus held permanent session
in the cty-hall. In short, everything betokened
coming tempest
One day, while matters were in this precarlous
condition, the caucus at the city-hall was surprised
by the sudden appearance ofa stranger, whose mode
of entering was as strange his looks and dress
He did not knock at the closed door-he did not
seek admission there at all; but climbing unseen
small bushy.opped live oak, which grew beside The
wall. he leaned without sound or warning through
a lofty window. He was clothed altogether in buck
skin, carried long and very heavy rifle IN his hand,
wore at the button Of his lett suspender large bow
ie knife, and had in his leaihern belt couple OF
pistols half the length of his gun. He was tall,
straight as an arrow, active as panther IN his mo-
tions, with dark complexion, and luXurlant, Jetiy
hair. with severe, iron-lke countenance, that
seemed never TO have known smile, and eyes OF
intense vivid black, wild and rolling, and piercing
as the point Of a dagger. His strange advent IN
spired a thrill Of involuntary fear, and many un-
consciously grasped the handles of their side-arms
"Who are you, that thus presumes to lntrude a,
mong gentlemen without invitation =" demanded
Colonel Morton, ferociously, essaying 10 cow down
the stranger with his eye.
The latter returned his stare with compound IN
terest and laid his long bony finger on his lip as
sign-but of what the spectators could not imagine
"Who are you? Speak or will Gu, an answer
out ofyour heart" shouted Morton, almost distract
ed with rage by the cool, sneerng gaze of the other
who now removed his finger from his lip, and laid
it on the hit Of his monstrous knife.
The fiery colonel then drew his dagger, and was
in the act Of advancing upon the stranger, wher
several caught and held him back, demonstrating