The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 263

Samuel Price Carson.

263

SAMUEL PRICE CARSON. 1
Z. T. FULMORE.
Samuel Price Carson, first Secretary of State in the cabinet of
David G. Burnet, Provisional President of the Republic of Texas
from March to October, 1836, was born January 22, 1798, at
Pleasant Gardens, Burke County, North Carolina.
His official connection with the Republic of Texas, though short,
justifies a sketch of his life in THE QUARTERLY.
Before coming to Texas he had been a prominent figure in the
political history of North Carolina. He represented his district in
the State Senate for two consecutive terms and then became a can-
didate for the United States Congress. His district embraced all
of the extreme western or mountainous portion of North Carolina,
and since 1817 had been continuously represented in the lower
house of Congress by Felix Walker, the originator of the expression
"talking for buncombe." Walker was an old soldier of the Revo-
lutionary War, and, on account of his patriotism, generosity, and
hospitality, rather than for his talents, had been elected three
successive terms. In the canvass of 1824, he was opposed by Dr.
R. B. Vance and James Graham, and, while the canvass was going
on, Carson, then only twenty-five years old, entered the field.
His youth and his boyish appearance only excited the contempt of
his three opponents. Vance and Graham scarcely noticed him,
while Walker referred to him as "the boy from Burke who wanted
to be a candidate."
Owing to the advanced age and high standing of Walker, Carson
treated him with profound respect on all occasions, referring to
him as a patriot who had rendered his country good service and
who was entitled to the gratitude of his countrymen. Walker was
so won by his magnamity and charmed by his eloquence, that be-
fore the canvass was over he withdrew in Carson's favor. The re-
sult was the election of Vance.
1For the main facts of this sketch I am indebted to Hon. S. A. Ashe, of
Raleigh, North Carolina, and to Wheeler's history of that State.