Year: 1861

! DEPOSITION OF SAM HoUsToN.-The circumstances
attending the deposition of Sam Houston as Governor
OF Texas, quite dramatic, and in respects u-
Lticrous and comical. The Convention of Texas called
by the loud voice of the people against the denunciaons
and op position OF Governor Houston having passed the
act OF secession and accepted and ratified the Constt
tion OF the Confederate States prescribed form of
oath to be taken by all the State officers. This oath
included renunciation of all allegiance to all foreign
powers and especially to the government of the United
States, and declaration of fidelity to the Constitution
OF the Confederate States When the oath was propo-
seq to Governor Houston, he peremptory refused to
take II Whereupon the Convention declared the Office
OF governor vacant and Lieutenant Governor Clark
under the Constitution having taken the prescrbed
oath succeeded to the Office. Gov Clark was not slow
in entering upon the Gubernatoria functions and nro
ceedng to the Governors Office assumed the chair and
entered upon the duties of the Office Byandbv the Ie
posed Governor came hobbling to his ofice-od Sans
San Jacinto would have broken out aesh as it always
does occasions of political trial Perceving Cover
nor Clark occupying the CHAIR Old Sam addressed him:


"Wel, f'overmOr Clark" giving great emphasis to
the title, "you early riser"


Eyes, General" replied the Governor with a great
stress upon the military title of his predecessor 81
Illustrating the old maxim, he early bird gathers the
| Worm'


Well Governor Clark, hope you will find it an
easier seat than have found it,"


"In try to make it so General by conforming to the
clearly expressed will of the people of Texas"
The General having brought large lunch basket
with him, proceeded to put up numerous little articles
of private property and to stow them away very care
fully. Catching his foot in hole in the carpet and
stumbling the General suggested Gov Clark that the
new Government ought to afford new carpet for the
Governors office, whereupon the Governor remarked
that the Executive OF Texas could get !ong very well
without carpet


Approaching the washstand the General called the
attention of Gov Clark to two pieces of soap-one the
CASTLE soap, his private property; and the
other perumed article the property of the State
and added Governor, your hands will require the very
frequent of this cleansing article )" whereupon Gov
Clark pointing to the washbowI which was full of very
black and dirty water, remarked General, suppose
is the bowl in which you washed your hands before
leaving the Office.


Having gathered up all his duds, old Sam made


little farewell speech, very much in the style of Cardinal
Woosey, declaring his conviction that as in the past
the time would soon come when Texas would call him
from his retirement and he hoped Gov. Clark would be
able to give good account of his stewardship he
could now render. Hating at the door, the General
made profound bow, and with an air of elaborate
dignity said, "Good day, Governor Clark" "Good day.
General Houston" was the Governors response And
thus the "Hero of San Jacnto" concluded his political
| career IN. o. Delta.