ment:

"I am gratified that I have spoken the truth to the people of my
district, regardless of the consequences. I would not be compelled to
bow down to the idol for a seat in Congress during life. I have never
known what it was to sacrifice my own judgment to gratify any party;
and I have no doubt of the time being close at hand when I shall be
rewarded for letting my tongue speak what my heart thinks. I have
suffered myself to be politically sacrificed to save my country from
ruin and disgrace; and if I am never again elected, I will have the
gratification to know that I have done my duty. I may add, in the words
of the man in the play, 'Crockett's occupation's gone.'"

Two weeks after this he writes, "I confess the thorn still rankles, not
so much on my own account as the nation's. As my country no longer
requires my services, I have made up my mind to go to Texas. My life
has been one of danger, toil, and privation. But these difficulties I
had to encounter at a time when I considered it nothing more than right
good sport to surmount them. But now I start upon my own hook, and God
only grant that it may be strong enough to support the weight that may
be hung upon it. I have a new row to hoe, a long and rough one; but
come what will, I will go ahead."

Just before leaving for Texas, he attended a political meeting of his
constituents. The following extract from his autobiography will give
the reader a very vivid idea of his feelings at the time, and of the
very peculiar character which circumstances had developed in him:

"A few days ago I went to a meeting of my constituents. My appetite for
politics was at one time just about as sharp set as a saw-mill, but
late events have given me something of a surfeit, more than I could
well digest; still, habit, they say, is second natur, and so I went,
and gave them a piece of my mind touching 'the Government' and the
succession, by way of a codicil to what I have often said before.

"I told them, moreover, of my services, pretty straight up and down,
for a man may be allowed to speak on such subjects when others are
about to forget them; and I also told them of the manner in which I had
been knocked down and dragged out, and that I did not consider it a
fair fight anyhow they could fix it. I put the ingredients in the cup
pretty strong I tell you, and I concluded my speech by telling them
that I was done with politics for the present, and that they might all
go to hell