[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1068-E1069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FRANCIS SCOTT KEY AND SAM HOUSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2014

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Francis Scott Key is best known for 
being the author of our National Anthem, ``The Star Spangled Banner.'' 
During the second American revolution, the War of 1812, the British 
reinvaded the United States, captured Washington, DC, burned this 
building, the White House and most of this city.
  The English Fleet then set sail for nearby Baltimore and were 
determined to take the city, but Fort McHenry was blocking and 
protecting Baltimore Harbor. Key, a lawyer, had boldly gone on board a 
British ship to seek release of a captured United States citizen. The 
Royal Navy held both Key and his client and refused to release either 
until after the British naval attack on the fort was completed. During

[[Page E1069]]

the night, the British bombarded the fort with hundreds of shells and 
rockets, but at ``dawn's early light,'' the outnumbered American 
defenders still held the fort, refusing to surrender, and a massive 30 
foot by 40 foot American flag still flew defiantly over Fort McHenry. 
The unsuccessful British sailed away for good. Francis Scott Key, upon 
seeing the flag, wrote our national anthem that is sung on the 4th of 
July throughout the prairies and plains of America.
  But, Key also has a Texas connection. Before Sam Houston made his way 
to Texas, he served with Andrew Jackson in the Indian wars and was 
elected United States Congressman for Tennessee for two terms and 
served as Governor of Tennessee.
  After his governorship, Houston spent time in Washington, DC, during 
the 1830s advocating on behalf of the Cherokee Indians and denouncing 
the corruption in the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  In 1832, Congressman William Stanbery from Ohio made slanderous 
accusations about Houston and the Cherokees on the floor of Congress. 
One morning, Houston was leaving a boarding house on Pennsylvania 
Avenue and saw Stanbery walking down the street. A confrontation 
occurred between the two men over Stanbery's statement. A street brawl 
resulted. Sam Houston thrashed and viciously beat Congressman Stanbery 
with his hickory walking cane for Stanbery's derogatory remarks on this 
House floor. Stanbery then pulled a pistol and put it to the chest of 
Houston, but the pistol misfired. Houston, now really mad, continued 
the trashing of Stanbery. Fate saved Sam Houston's life.
  The United States Congress ordered the arrest of Sam Houston, 
charging him with assault and demeaning a Member of Congress. Houston 
was tried before Congress. The trial lasted a month.
  Houston spent one full day on this House floor in boisterous oratory 
stating his positions, that he was defending his honor; Stanbery was 
the aggressor; and anyway, Stanbery deserved the severe caning.
  So what does Francis Scott Key have to do with any of this? Francis 
Scott Key was Sam Houston's defense lawyer. He did an admirable job in 
the defense of this later Texas hero, but after the trial was over, 
Houston was found guilty, publically reprimanded and ordered to pay a 
$500 fine. Houston refused to pay the fine and, rather than face more 
problems with Congress, left Washington that same year and began a new 
life and political career in--Texas.
  After defeating Dictator Santa Anna on the marshy plains of San 
Jacinto, Houston became the first president of the Republic of Texas.
  After Texas was admitted to the United States in 1845, he was a 
United States Senator and then Governor of the State. Houston is the 
only person to serve as Governor and Member of Congress from two 
different States.
  Sam Houston's troubles with the legislative bodies continued, 
however. When Texas voted to leave the Union in 1861, the Governor, 
Houston, refused to take the oath to support the Confederacy. So the 
Texas legislature removed General Sam from the office of Governor.
  Too bad. Maybe if Francis Scott Key had been Sam Houston's lawyer 
before the Texas legislature, the outcome might have been different.
  And the rest, they say, is Texas history.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________