Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-07-19
SAM HOUSTON.
How n Magnificent velvet Robe DID
the Business for the Lone star.

An anecdote of General Houston
"0ld Sam Houston he used to be
called-shows hsw little things some
times decide the destiny of nations. 1t
was at the time when the Republic of
Texas was in embryo and striving to
gain a standing among the nations OF
the earth. Hamilton and Barnby had
gone to England and pushed the. claims
Of the banthng with very poor success at
first
But Hamilton and Barnby were reso-
lutte and persevering, and ministers so
far yielded to their persuasions as to
send out an agent charged with the re-
sponsibility of reporting upon the condi-
tion and prospects of the country after a
personal examination. The gentleman
selected was fine, dashing young fel-
low named Elliott, the younger son OF a
nobleman He had been employed in
diplomatic capacity at one of the infe-
rior courts on the continent, where he
had acquitted himself to the satisfaction
Of the government. There was an i'm
Piled promise of the recognition of Tex
as in case of favorable report from
Elliott, and the commissioners had en-
couraging assurances of procuring a
loan in that contingency. They returned
elated at their partial success, and the
intelligence thereof was received with
great joy in Texas.
General Houston, President of the
Republic, was one of the most perfect
specimens Of manly beauty to be seen
in the country. He was considerably
upward of six feet in hight, straight as
an arrow, of symmetrical proportions,
and as graceful in his movements as
panther. He had finely turned head
and shoulders, and their easy play was
wonderful to behold. He affected a
picturesque and rather theatrical style
of costume; but what in an ordinary
man would have been foppishness and
affeetation, his great personal adyan-
tages rendered natural, proper and be-
coming. In the anticipation Of the
visit OF Elliott, he had ordered magniti-
cent velvet robe from New York-a
sort Of regal garment that set off his
masculine attraction in a splendid man
ner. but which would have brought ridi-
cule and derision upon almostany other
man. 1t is we'll known that Houston,
although perfectly temperate in the lat
ter part Of his life, was at one time ad-
dicted TO intemperance.
He was not habitual drinker, but
occasionally INDUCED TO 9 fearful ex-
cess; and when Elliott arrived in Hous-
ton, then the capital Of Texas, he was
In the midst Of one Of his worst drunken
orgies. In fact he vas lying in the gut
ter in a state of helpless intoEioRtion.
But Hamilton and Barnby we're equal
70 the emergency. They received the
envoy with becoming respect conducting
him to the hotel with suitable ceremony.
He was there informed that the Presl-
dent, General Houston, had been unex7
pectedly called to Washington, about a
hundred miles up the country, on indis-
pensable business, hat would be back IN
a day or two. Awaiting his fat9En, they
would show the envoy what was 70 be
seen at the capital, and endeayored to
make him comfortable. Meantime the
General was taken 70 the house Of o
friend, bathed, oleansed aud fnmigaied;
and as he had wonderful powers of re-
cuperatiDn, he appeared renovated and
refreshed in less than tyenty-four hours,
and, mounting his gorgeous velvet robe,