Life and select literary remains of Sam Houston of Texas/Chapter 4
CHAPTER IV.
He began his legal studies in June, 1818. He was then in his twenty-fifth year. Experience and observation had enriched his mind. In the national struggle just closed he had gained a hero's name. With the hardships of the school of the soldiers he had become thoroughly conversant. Artificial life had exhibited to him its chill and deceit. From the wild sons of the forest he had received lessons nowhere else imparted. His pay in the army had been inadequate to meet his necessities while wandering to recover his health. He began the study of law burdened by a load of debt, to liquidate which he sold his last piece of property, and paid its avails to meet these debts. The balance of debts still unpaid, amounting to some hundreds of dollars, he soon after discharged. Under such circumstances Sam Houston, the soldier of fortune, the child of destiny, commenced his studies.
When he entered the office of his law preceptor, Hon. James Trimble, at Nashville, he was informed that it would require eighteen months of hard study to secure a license to practice at the bar. He read thoroughly a few of the standard works prescribed in a course of legal studies. The principles of the science were grasped and tenaciously fixed in his mind. His original cast of mind relied on the fundamental principles of truth, not on its details. Axioms not requiring proof, causes clearly effective, effects undoubtedly linked to causes, principles clear as sunlight took possession of his great mind, and were more effective in securing his conclusions and inducing conclusions with others than a full library of precedents and authorities. He was not, therefore, a learned student in the sense of taxing his memory with mere legal opinions, but he was a profound thinker on law principles.
His preceptor had prescribed eighteen months' study. He was recommended to apply for a license to practice in one-third of the time. He passed a searching examination most honorably to himself and the profession of the law, after six months' study. Purchasing a small library on credit, he opened a law office in Lebanon, thirty miles east of Nashville, and began the practice of his profession. Of his career at Lebanon, the following extracts furnish interesting reminiscences:
"Lebanon, Tenn., April 30, 1867, " Lebanon, where I am now stopping, is the town where Gen. Houston first put out his ' shingle ' as an attorn ey-at-law. He had studied law either three or six months at Nashville, and being short of funds, was under the necessity of doing something. He came up here, without means, a stranger among strangers. Mr. Isaac Golladay, a merchant of this place, and also P. M., furnished Mr. Houston an office at one dollar per month; sold him clothes on credit; credited him for his postage, each letter being then charged twenty-five cents; and recommended him to the people. This was about the year 1818-19. How long Mr. Houston remained at Lebanon I do not know, but long enough to get a respectable practice, pay out of debt, gain the favorable opinion of the people, and to show them that he was a man of more than ordinary promise. When he was about to leave Lebanon he made a speech—a sort of farewell address—to the people, on some public day, at the Court House. I have myself heard some of the old men who were present speak of this speech. In substance he said: 'Gentlemen,—The time has come when I must bid you farewell. Although duty calls me away, yet I must confess that it is with feelings of sincere regret that I leave you. I shall ever remember with emotions of gratitude the kindness which I have received at your hands. I came among you poor and a stranger, and you extended the hand of welcome, and received me kindly. I was naked, and ye clothed me; I was hungry, and ye fed me; I was athirst, and ye gave me drink, etc' His speech, continued in this strain, was so emphatically true, and withal delivered in so pathetic a style that its effect was to cause many of the people to shed tears. He carried away with him the good-will and kind wishes of the people of Wilson County, and afterward, when he had begun to ascend the ladder of political fame, the people of Lebanon and Wilson County supported him for Governor with almost unequaled unanimity. As regards his 'first marriage,' the version you gave me at Brenham is the one most current here, and is doubtless the true one. Be particular to notice that Sam Houston commenced the practice of law at Lebanon, Tenn. He is not the only man who has gone from Lebanon and become famous; still Lebanon is justly proud of Sam Houston, and would not have this fact omitted.
" Very respectfully, I V. Drake."
The son of Isaac Golladay alluded to in Mr. Drake's letter furnished that gentleman with the following statement, which exhibits how Gen. Houston remembered the friends of his early manhood:
"I was travelling in Texas in the year 1853. Arrived at the town of Huntsville. Walker Co., on Sunday, about 11 o'clock. The good people of the town and vicinity were passing on to church as I rode up to the hotel. I was very sick; had a high fever on me when I dismounted. I told the landlord I was very sick, and wanted a room; he assigned me a room, and was very kind in his attentions I took a bed immediately, and, while talking to him, asked him in what part of the State Sam. Houston lived. He replied, 'He lives about one and a half miles from town, and his family and he have just passed, going to church, in his carriage.'
To this I said: 'Please keep on the look-out, and when he returns from church let him know that a Golladay, of Tennessee, was lying sick there.' After the church hour was over, say 12 or i o'clock, a large, portly, elegant-looking man, came walking into my room and to my bedside. I knew, from the description which I had had of him, that it was Gen. Houston, although I had never seen him. I called him by name. He asked me if I was a son of his old friend, Isaac Golladay, of Lebanon, Tennessee. I replied, I was. He then asked, which one? I told him I was Frederick. He said that he knew my older brothers, but he had left Lebanon before I was born, but added, 'If you are the son of Isaac Golladay I recognize you as the child of an early and true friend. I went to Lebanon, where your father, Isaac Golladay, resided, a poor young man; your father furnished me an office for the practice of law; credited me in his store for clothes; let me have my letters, which cost then 25 cents postage, from the office of which he was postmaster; invited me to his house, and recommended me to all the good people of his large general acquaintance.' He then said: ' You must go out to my house; I will come in my carriage for you in the evening.' I replied, with thanks, that I was too sick to go, but he insisted on coming for me the next morning, to which I consented. Early the next morning he came for me; being better, I went out to his house with him. He placed me in a room in his yard, saying that Mrs. H was confined to her room with an infant at the time. My fever rose and kept me confined. He sent for a physician. I was sick there for about ten days or two weeks. He made a servant-man stay and sleep in the office with me, to wait on me all the while, but often would come to see me and spend much of his time with me. One night, especially, while I was sick, the doctor had left orders for my medicine to be given through the night, and my feet bathed in warm water; he staid all night with me. He had the vessel of warm water brought, pulled off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, to wash my feet. I objected, the servant being present. He replied, 'My Master washed His disciples' feet, and I would follow His glorious example,' and insisted that he should do so. During the time which he spent with me in my sick-room he gave me much of his early history. He gave me an account of the affecting scene when, in a brief address, he took leave of his friends in Lebanon, to which Mr. Drake alludes, and in recounting which many old citizens say that the emotions of his audience were so excited that there was not a dry eye in the whole assembly. He was very much beloved by all while he resided in Lebanon. FREDERICK GOLLADAY."
Young Sam. Houston, with characteristic earnestness, pursued his legal studies at Lebanon; practiced his profession so faithfully, that he rose rapidly at the bar; and in October of the same year in which he commenced to practice he was elected District Attorney of the Davidson District. This made it necessary for him to take up his residence at Nashville. About this time he was appointed Adjutant General of the State, with the rank of Colonel, and in 1821 he was elected Major-General by the field officers of the division which comprised two-thirds of the State. Removed to Nashville from Lebanon, he was confronted by the legal mind of one of the ablest bars in the Western States. He was about twenty-six years old. There were veteran lawyers with whom he was obliged to come into collision, who tried severely his remarkable powers. The path of prosecuting attorney was new to him, but it is said that he rarely failed in his prosecutions. If twitted upon the suddenness of his legal promotion, or berated for want of experience in the practice, his retorts were so well turned and applied that he was neither twitted for his freshness, nor berated for his inexperience again. His practical sense and keen insight into human genius made ample amends for want of legal reading and long experience. He labored unceasingly in the duties of District Attorney. At the end of twelve months he was compelled to resign, as the fees of the office were too inconsiderable for his support. Resuming the regular practice, business crowded upon him, and rapidly promoted him to high distinction. Only powers of the highest order could have advanced a young man so rapidly at the capital of' Tennessee, and in the presence of some of the most distinguished men of the Union. Had he confined himself to the bar he would have placed his name and fame among the first jurists of the world. But political life had its attractions for him, and in 1823, when thirty years of age, his friends urged him to submit his name to the voters of his district as a candidate for the U. S. House of Representatives. Every station, so far, in life, had been worthily filled, and had inspired his fellow-citizens with the highest respect. His career as a lawyer displayed true native genius. Self made as to education, of commanding address and imposing personal figure, a favorite of the Old Chieftain of the Hermitage, he was elected to Congress without opposition. The following letter is rare for its writer, its object, and the person to whom it is addressed:
"Hermitage, Oct. 4th, 1823."Thomas Jefferson, Esq.,
"Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia.
"Dear Sir:—This will be handed to you by Gen. Sam. Houston, a representative to Congress from this State, and a particular friend of mine, to whom I beg leave to introduce you. I have known General Houston many years, and, entertaining for him the highest feelings of regard and confidence, recommend him to you with great safety. He has attained his present standing without the extrinsic advantages of fortune or education, and has sustained, in his various promotions from the common soldier to the Major-General, the character of the high-minded and honorable man. As such I present him to you, and shall regard the civilities which you may render him as a great favor.
"With a sincere wish that good health and happy days are still yours,
"I remain,
"Your friend, and very obliged servant,"Andrew Jackson."
Some of the most eminent men who have ever held a seat in the National Councils were members of Congress at this time. Henry Clay was Speaker, and orators and statesmen, completed or nascent, were the law-makers of the memorable period of the candidacy for the Presidency of John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and Wm. Henry Crawford.
The first term of Sam. Houston in Congress was amid exciting events, but his course was so faultless, so acceptable to his constituents, that they showed the warmth of their approval by returning him a second time by a nearly unanimous vote. His second term raised him still higher in the esteem of the people of Tennessee. Their confidence knew no bounds. Few men have risen so rapidly in popularity. In 1827 he was elected Governor of the State by a majority of over 12,000. His career as Governor was popular. The duties of the oflfce were discharged with stern^ fidelity to the Constitution, and in earnest sympathy with the people and their interests. But an event occurred in the zenith of his popularity, when no man except General Jackson exercised greater influence over the popular sentiment and affections, which suddenly threw a shadow over his character, and terminated his political career in Tennessee.
In January, 1829, he was married to a young lady of reputable connections and gentle character. Her kindred were personal and political friends of Gen. Houston, and had zealously supported him in his political canvasses. The whole country was taken by surprise when, about three months after the marriage, a separation took place. No publication, either from Gen. Houston or the lady, has ever furnished the reason for this remarkable proceeding. Unfounded reports, born of bitter malignity, were scattered through Tennessee, and the popular feeling was so completely inflamed that, in this strange excitement, the State was divided into two hostile parties. His name was denounced; impertinent disturbers of the peace, curiosity-hunting busybodies, whom human laws rarely reach, yet criminals against the peace and dignity of society, and the laws of God and man, did not hesitate to charge him with every species of crime ever committed by man. He offered no denial of these allegations, and to his dying day ever spoke of the young lady in terms of unqualified respect and great kindness. He never authorized any explanation of this singular event, but was wont to say, as a reply to all inquiry, as has been published, "This is a painful, but it is a private affair. I do not recognize the right of the public to interfere in it, and I shall treat the public as though it had never happened. And remember, that whatever may be said by the lady or her friends it is no part of the conduct of a gallant or generous man to take up arms against a woman. If my character can not stand the shock, let me lose it. The storm will soon sweep by, and time will be my vindicator." Over fifty years have elapsed since this strange event ococcurred, and, possibly, it can not do any party to this strange affair aught of injustice to make the only statement known to have been made by him to another. It is well known that between the second Mrs. Houston and General Houston there was the most perfect sympathy, a devotion of the one to the other, a chivalric respect for each other's feelings and peculiarities, a Christian regard for all the responsibilities of the marital relation, which made their union a blessed one, over which no breath of suspicion ever floated. Nearly two years after his death, and about two years before her own death, the second Mrs. Houston, whose history will form a chapter in this volume, gave the writer the only clue to his separation from his first wife which ever escaped his lips. It can be summed up in a few words, and then dismissed to the shades of oblivion. The first Mrs. Houston, three months after their marriage, in a conversation with General Houston, admitted that at their marriage he had not won her heart, and that he did not possess it then. There was no admission of infidelity on her part, and no charge of the same on his part. She plainly intimated that, although married to him, her affections had never been transferred from another to him. To a man of grand physique, attractive manners, heroic nature, poetical temperament, rare conversational powers, and a natural speaker; a man who had rapidly ascended the ladder of fame, and was the idol of the multitude; a man of fervid impulses, and knightly attachment to woman's virtues—to such a man, such an admission was overwhelming. The moral courage which had faced poverty, the heroism which had dared death on the battle-field, the fortitude which had endured the excruciating pains of unhealed wounds, were all insufficient for such an ordeal, and he succumbed.
Almost by acclamation he had been elected Major-General, District Attorney, Member of Congress, and Governor of a great State, but he determined to surrender all his brilliant prospects of future distinction in Tennessee, and immediately resign the office of Governor. His decision was that indicated by the reasonings of a philosophic mind, and not the suggestions of a guilty nature. Odium was cast upon him, the journals of the day denounced him, malignity untiring vented its spleen upon him, and threats of violence were made against him. Amid all, he exhibited no craven spirit, nor sought for the world's sympathy. He defied human malice and violence. Although enemies were vehement and threatening, his friends gathered around him, and were his shield of defence. Bloody scenes would have forever disgraced Nashville, had any of the threats of personal violence been executed, and, to this hour, there are none more willing to vindicate Sam Houston than the survivors of that period and the children of his early friends in Nashville. He resolved upon exile. On that resolution hung a future which has filled up with some of the most memorable events of modern times. Had that first marriage resulted happily, the history of the Indian nations in the Southwest, and of Texas, would have had other events, and even the map of the United States might have been different. For one to throw away the robes of office just as the wreath of glory was twining around his brow, to exchange the fascinations of political leadership in civilized life for the obscurity of the wilderness, was an uncommon event rarely witnessed. Voluntarily, after the wrath of his enemies had diminished and his real strength appeared greater than ever, to drown the reflections which harrowed his heart he exiled himself. It was the leading of Divine Providence, mysterously shaping his future life, and leading him by strange forest paths to be the founder of a new empire, ultimately to become one of our grand cordon of American States, Agencies and instruments are needed for great occasions, for a great work. Human sagacity does not descry the future, nor apprehend how these agencies and instruments are to be provided. An erratic boyhood, a wild life among uncivilized men, a soldier's hard fare, and a hero's fate, contest with enmity, trial in station under difficulties, constitute the ordeal through which one remarkable agent was called to pass. That agent was Sam Houston, a name which forms no common part of American history.