483
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
taken in conformity with the wishes of the deceased; and it was upon him that I relied for a greater portion of the matter which was to impart in- terest and value to the work; but before his public duties would allow him the necessary leisure to examine and arrange his papers, "the insatiate archer" came-and laying low the brightest example of human enterprize and virtue, has imposed upon his Biographer the painful necessity and duty of seeking information from other sources. What we have lost in loosing him, remain·s to be supplied as far as possible, by the contributions of friendship and public spirit. The claims of General Austin upon the affections of the people of Texas were of the strongest kind. He was not only the founder of our Republic, but there is scarcely a blessing which has flowed to the country that may not fairly be attributed to his untiring efforts for its welfare; whilst almost every-calamity and misfortune which have befallen it, ~ight have been averted by an adherence to his wise and prudent counsels. The world has afforded but few examples of superior intelligence and sagacity; and as for disinterested and extended philan- thropy-his long sufferings for the weal of others--his patient endurance under persecution-his generous forgiveness of enemies--and his final sacrifice of health, happiness and life in the service of his country, all conspire to place him without a modern rival amongst the first of patriots and the best of men. Now that he lives no more to serve us by his coun- sels, or to receive the reward of labors, let us manifest our gratitude, by doing justice to his memory-let us make a full and faithful record of his good works, and following the example of his own generosity give each venial error to the stream of Lethe. To pay due tribute to departed ex- cellence, is a pleasing performance to the generous mind; and not to do it-to deny just homage to exalted worth-evinces a sad insensibility to virtue. Surely no one who casts his eyes over our broad and beautiful Prairies, and reflects that he has come to the bright inheritance through the toils and affiicting vicissitudes of one whose home, for our benefit, has been the wilderness and the dungeon, can for a moment refuse his small con- tribution toward erecting a monument to the memory of the noble bene- factor? And of what shall that monument consist?-of marble?- No- The best and purest .superstructure which can be reared to the honor of General Austin, is the record of his actions--the history of his life; and he who shall contribute to this object by preserving any anecdote and interest- ing fact illustrative of his character, will not only render service to the cause of truth and justice, but will be making some small return for the many blessings which we are all enjoying from his labors. Permit me, therefore, to ask the favor of you, to announce in your valuable paper, my intention to compile his biography, and that I shall be pleased to receive, by voluntary contribution, any information which may be servicable to the undertaking. The labors of General Austin were extensive and important;
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