The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-12-02

I'VE walked towards the President.
! house, accompanied by the secretary of the
navy, and as soon as We rose above the
bank, we saw before Us level of far-ex
/ tending prairie, destitute of timber, and
rather poor SOIL. Houses half finished, and
most of them without roofs, tents and 4
| lioerty pole, with the capitol, were all eX-
nIbited to our view at once. We approached
the Presidents mansion, however, wading
through water aOove our ankles. This
abode of President Houston is a small log
house, consisting of two rooms, and pas
sage through, after the Southern fashion.
The moment we stepped over the threshold,
on the right hand of the passage We found
ourselves ushered into what in other couu-
tries would be called the ante-chamber; the
ground floor, however, was muddy and
filthy, large fire was burning. a small table,
covered with paper and writing materials,
was In the centre, camp beds, trunks and
different materials, were strewn around the
room. We were at once presented 10 several
members of the cabinet, some of whom bore
the stamp of men of intellectual ability,
simple though bold, in their general appear
ance. Here we were presented to Mr.. Craw-
ford, an agent of the British Minister to
Mexico, who has come here on some secret
mission.
"The President was engaged in the oppo-
site room on national business, and we could
not see him for some time. Meanwhile we
amused ourselves by walking to the capitol,
which was yet without roof, and the floors,
benches and tables of both houses of Con-
gress were as well saturated with water as
our clothes had been in the morning. Be
ing invited by one of the great men of the
place to enter a booth to take a drink of
grOg with him, we did so; but was rather
surprised that he offered his name, instead
of the cash TO the bar-keeper.
'We first caught sight of President Hous-
ton as he walked from one of the grog-
Shops where he had been to prevent the
sale of ardent liquors. He was on his way
to his house, and wore large coarse gray
hat; and the bulk of his figure reminded
me of the appearance. of Gen. Hopkins, of
Virginia, for like him he is upward of six
feet high, and strong in proportion. But l
observed a scowl in the expression of his
eyes that was forbiding and disagreeable.
We reached his abode before him. but he
soon came, and we were presented to his
eXcellency. He was dressed in fancy vel
vet coat, aud trowsers trimmed with broad
gold lace; around his neck was q tie era
vat somewhat in the style of seventy-six.
He received us kindly, was desirous of re-
tanning US LOT dWnlle, anu OlISIeu US every
facility within his power. He at once re
moved us from the ante-room to his private
chamber, which by the way was not much
cleaner than the former. We were severally
introduced by him to the different members
of his cabinent and staff, and at once asked
to drink grog with him, which we did,
wishing success t. the new republic. Our
talk was short; but the impression which
was made on my mind at the time by him
self, his officers, md his place of abode,
can never be forgotten
''We returned to our boat through ma
lee of Indians and blackguards of all sorts.
in giving last glance back we once more
noticed number of horses rambling about
the grounds, or tied beneath the few trees
that have been spared by the axe. We also
saw liberty pole, erected on the anniver-
sary of the battle of San Jaclnto. on the
twenty first of last April, aud were informed
that brave tar, who rugged the Texan flag
on that occasion, had been personally re-
warded by President Houston with town
lot, doubloon and the privilege of keep
ing ferry across the Buffalo Bayou at the
town where the bayou forks dlverge in op-
posite directions"