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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
this, finding a ready response in your bosom, you will take a little trouble to find out whether my Brother be alive and well, or otherwise James being an old settler must be pretty well known along the Colorado but it is likely he is best known amongst the settlers If you would be kind enough to reply to.this I should be very much obliged to you WM. McNAIR, 750 Greenwich Street [Addressed:] General Stephen F Austin of Texas Care of. Mr. James W Breedlove Collector New Orleans
SAMUEL M. WILLIAMS TO AUSTIN
New Orleans 29 th August 1836
MY DEAR Sm If any single expression of mine in this letter should wound or mortify your feelings I entreat you "nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice"-for hurt and crush'd as is my spirit I would not on you inflict the wound you have given me. I say given me, for although I have noth• ing direct from you, nevertheless I am informed that you charge me with a want of regard for your standing and character-That you my dear sir may have drawn such a conclusion, or that, by others you may have been induced to believe such has been the fact, is a matter which has now passed beyond the power of my control, and it is impossible for me to prevent what has already been ushered into existence, and therefore all that I can at this time do, is to call upon you to reflect and examine into the motives you think I could have for such a proceeding towards any man I esteemed as a friend, and more especially towards you, in whom at the same time I ever have been proud to connect the title of friend and benefactor- I believe you will readily grant-that it never could have been political power, for that I never courted- It could not have been, money, for that I am regardless of farther thah it administers to my Comfort, and I am not avaricious-- If it has been an error in judgement in any matter of policy, such error my friend (if you believe me possessed of feeling) should have been more lightly visited than by a charge that at once sinks every thing that is honorable, and stamps me with indelible marks of in• f amy-for If I am regardless of your fair fame, what is there I ask in the name of God that I care for? You may rest assured that it never has for once entered my mind that your elevation to the Presidency was necessary for my personal interest- no-1 wished and desired it, and I still wish and desire it, for the fair fame of our young republic; for its character and well being with other nations; its prosperity at home and its pride abroad-Too well am I acquainted with your principles of justice and your integrity, to believe for a moment that your office, will be held for personal benefit of friends; or for the
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