The Van Buren press., 1872-07-16
Sam Houston
How Magnificent Velcef Robe D'd the
BuSinessJor the Lone Star,

How Magnificent Velret Robe Did the
Business for the Lone Star.
An anecdote of Gen. Houston" Old
Sam Hcuston" he used to be called
shows how little things sometimes de
eide the destiny OF Nations. 1t was at
the time when "ths Republic of Texas
was in embryo and striving to gain
standing among the Nations OF the earth.
Hamilton and Barnby had gone to Eng
land and pushed the claims OF the bant'
ling with very poor success at first.
But Hamilton and Barnby were reso-
Lutte and perseverng, and Ministers so
fat yielded to their persuasions as to
send out an agent charged with the re
sponsibility of reporting upon the condi
ton and prospects Of the country after
apersonal examination. The gentleman
selected was a fine dashing young fellow
named Elliot, the younger son OF no
bieman. He had been employed in a
diplomatic capacity at one of the inferior
courts on the Continent, where he had
acquitted himself to the satisfaction Of
the Government. There was an implied
promise of the recognition of Texas in
case Of a favorable report from Elliott
and the Commissioners had encouraging
assurances Of procuring loan in tina,
contingency. They returned elated at
their partial success, and the intelligence
thereof was received with great joy in
Texas.
Gen. Houston, President Of the Repub
Tic, was one Of the most perfect speci
mems OF manly besuty to be seen in the
country, He was considerably upward
of six ieet in height, as straight as an
arrow, Of symmetrical proportions, and
as graceful in his movements as pan
ther. lie had finely turned head and
shoulders, and their easy play was won
derful to behold. He affected \ plctur.
esque and rather theatrical style Of cos.
tune; but what in an ordinrry man would
have been foppishness and atlectation,
his great personal advantages rendered
natural, proper and becoming. In the
anticipation OF the visit of Elliot, he had
ordered magnificent velvsl robe from
New York-a sort Of regal garment that
set off his masculine attraction in splen
did manner, but which would have
brought ridculc and dersion upon any
other man. 1t is well known that Hous-
ton, although perfectly temperate in the
latter part Of his life, was at one time ad
sdicted to intemperance.
lie was not habitual drinker, but oc-
casionally INDUCED to fearful excess !;
and when Elliot arrived in Houston, then
the capital Of Texas, he was in tho midst
Of one Of his worst drunken orgies. In
fact Ia was lying in the gutter in state
of helpless intoXication. But Hamilton
and Bafcby we're equal to the emergen
cy. They received the envoy with be-
coming respect, conducting him TO the
hotel with suitable ceremony. He was
there informed that the President, Gen
Houston, had oo0n unexpectedly called
TO Washington, about hundred miles
up the country. on indispensable bust
ness, but would be back in q day or two.
Awaiting his return, they would show the
envoy what was to be seen at the capital,
and endeavored to make him comforta
BILE. Meantime the General was taken to
the house of a friend, bathed, cleansed
and fumigatcd and as he had wonderful
powers of recuperation. he appeared rem
ovated and refreshed in less than twenty
four hours, and, mounting his gorgeous
velvet robe, gave audience to the British
envoy, looking like a monarch OF the
lower empire. The effect was electrical
Elliot was carried away by the ailabil.
ity and dignity of the President. He
could hardly express the admiration with
which he was inspired. "Why, gentle
men, said he, addressing the Commls-
sioners, have never seen man Of
such commanding, majestic presence. lie
puts one at his ease at once. HIS de.
scriptisn Of the country was eloquent and
impressive, carrying conviction in every
word. l should consider myself faith,
less to my duty il did not recommend
the immediate recognition OF your indie
psndence, and l can insure you all the
money you want as soon as my report is
presented.
And he performed all he had promis.
cd. Texas was acknowledged as an in.
dependent nation, and borrowed half a
million sterling, and thus the question
was settled adversely to the prctcntions
of Mexico.
suppose Elliot had stumbled upon
Houston as he lay in the gutter1
EI Victor Hugo says 1.-The devil
has been illuminated. He did not Sc
duce Eve; she tempted him. Woman
commenced it. Lucifer was passing
peaeeably by Paradise. He saw Eva and
became Satan.
- A Utica girl At the proper hour
pulls string which revsrses picture.
on the back OF which appears in huge
characters the words, "Ten o'clock is
my bed time, and her admirers take the
gentle hint and depart
81 An Iowa clergyman who wears o
white hat which be bought ten years ago,
ID In terrible row with his congrega-
ton, which doesn't like political preach