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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
destruction of enemies-:-an9 too well, ever to ask or sue from you as Presi- dent a favor not to be extended lo the humblest individual-And from no man, Govt. or country do I ask for more. -As Stephen F Austin I would have applied for favors, which I would not have asked of any living man, for the reason that lo Stephen F Austin will I grant and concede that whicli I will uol concede lo any man that lives. So far my dear sir, with respect to any designs or expectations that may have been attributed to me, for desiring your election as President, and now my dear sir permit me to make an observation or two on the subject of those me.n (once bitter, deadly and determined foes) who are now anxious to entwine themselves into your feelings and hold undisputed sway over your heart-. You may rest assured that if your life is spared, and God grant it may-you will see that it is not me that they are jealous of, nor persons like me-. We are not running for the goal they aim at- you and you alone are the devoted the doomed individual-they have tried open and villanous abuse; they have tried every thing with the people that art could suggest; Malice could invent; and bare faced impudence put in practice; By one of them. you have been traduced from New York.to the City of Saltillo- they have been foiled in all their attempts, you have had your reverses in the feelings of the people now up-then down- Now forgotten and then remembered with gratitude- Of such materials will you make friends?- dangerous experiment- In my opinion now comes the master stroke of policy (God forbid I be prophetic in my con- jectures) to ingratiate themselves in your confidence, work. themselves into your very heart of hearts; withdraw you from all your old friends and adherents; and if possible cause you to commit acts of crying injustice, in order to tarnish your fair fame in the page of history and then hold you up to scorn and contempt thro. your own acts. If such be not their deter- mination-if such be not their aim-Heaven pardon me for my suspicion- If your avocations will permit, I should like to hear from you- 1 should like to know what beyond a morbid feeling has aroused you (for it may be two months before I can get back) and of what it is you com- plain in me-- And be assured great as is my affliction under your censure -greater is my esteem for you; and no matter what may be the exertions of my enemies; no matter what you may believe necessary as your course toward me--and no matter what I may suffer-I will disappoint their hearts expectation; for long long ago have I .sworn eternal friendship- long ago have I sworn, come what will, come what may never to forget the confidence which once existed between us, and all the machinations of hell shall not change my purpose nor my determination-Therefore \\Tile to me and do so freely- send your- letter to Mr Toby and he will send it to me in the western country where I am bound from here.
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