Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-05-26
Stlett Gale.
DEAF SMITH,
THE CELEBRATED TEXAN SPY.

L
About two years after the Texan revolu-
ton q difficulty occurred between the new
government ard a portion OF the people,
which threatened the most serious consequen-
ces-even the bloodshed and horrors of q
civil war. Briefly, the cause was this The
constitution had fixed the city Of Austin as
the permanent capitol, where the public ar
chives were to be kept, with the reservation,
however, of power in the President to order
their temporary removal in case OF danger
from the inroads of foreign enemy, or the
force of sudden nsurrection.
Conceiving that the exceptional emergency
had arrived, as the Camanches frequently
committed ravages within sight Of the capital.
Houston, who resided at Washington, on the
Brazos, dispatched an order commanding his
subordinate functionaries to send the state
records to the latter place, which he declared
to he, pro tempore, the seat of government.
1t is impossible to describe the stormy ex-
citement which the PRONUNCIATION Of this fiat
raised in Austin. The keepers OF hotels,
boarding houses. groceries and faro-banks
were thunderstruck. maddened to frenzy for
the measures would be death blow to their
prosperity in business; and accordingly they
determined at once to take the necessary
steps to avert the danger, by opposing the
execution Of Houston's mandate. They called
mass meeting Of citizens and farmers of the
circumj jacent 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 unani.
mousy resolved to prevent the removal oil
the archives by open and armed resistance
1e that end they organized company OF Tour
hundred men, one moiety OF whom, relieving
the other at regular periods OF duty, should
keep constant guard around the statehouse
until the peril passed by. The commander
of this force was one Col. Morton, who had
achieved considerable renown in the war OF
independence, and had still more recently
displayed desperate bravery in two desperate
duels, in both of which he had cut his antago-
nists to pieces with the bowie knife. Indeed
from the notoriety of his character for re.
venge, as we'll as courage, it was thought that
President Fl Houston would renounce his pur-
pose touching the archeves, as soon as be
learned who was the leader Of the opposition
Morton. on bis part whose vanity fully
equalled his personal prowess. encouraged
and justified the prevailing opinions OF his
boastful threats. He swore that il the Pre-
sident did succeed 10 removing the records by
the march of an overpowerng force, be would
then himself hunt him down like wolf, and
shoot him with little ceremony, or stab him
in his bed, or waylay him in his walks o
recreation. He even wrote to the hero o
San Jacinto to that effect. The latter re-
piled in note of laconic brevity:
"If the people Of Austin do not send the
archives, ! shall certainly come and take
them, and if Colonel Morton con kill me, hs
is welcome to my ear-cap."
On the reception of this answer the guarc
was doubled around the statehouse. ChoseI
sentinels we're stationed along the road lead
ing to the capitol, the military paraded thu
streets from morning till night, and selec
caucus held permanent sessions in the cit.
hall. Ia short, everything betokened com
ing tempest.
One day, while matters we're 10 this pre-
carious condition, tie caucus at the city bal
was surprised by the appearance OF strange
whose mode Of entering was as extraordinar.
as his looks and dress. He did not knock
the closed door-he did not seek admission
there at oil but climbing unseen smal
bushy topped live oak, which grew beside th
wall, he lespsd without sound or warninI
through lofty window. He was clothe
altogether in buckskin, carried long an
very heavy ride in bis hand, wore at the bo'