486
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
rival, amongst the first of patriots, and the best of men. Now that he lives no more to serve us by his counsels, or to receive the reward of his labors, let us manifest our gratitude by doing ju.slice 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 excellence is a pleasing performance to the gen• erous 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 contribution toward erecting a monument to the memory of the no~le benefactor? And of what shall that monument con- sist? Of Marble? No: The best and purest superstructure which can be reared to the honor of Austin, is the record of his actions,-the history of his life; and he who shall contribute to this object by preserving any anec- dote and interesting 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. , "The labors of Austin were extensive, and important: So intimately connected with •all the interesting events of his times, that a faithful ac• count of his life must necessarily embrace a large portion of the history of our country. It will be perceived, therefore, that the materials appro- priate to such a work, will not be limited to any particular epoch; but will include whatever relates to past wars--to the aborigines,-to the settle- ment of the province by North Americans,-to the thrilling events of our revolutionary struggle for independence; and indeed, to every object and circumstance in anywise connected with this country, and worthy to be remembered in its annals. As Boswell said of Doctor Johnson, we ought not to 'lose one drop of our immortal friend'; and it is to be hoped, that the early followers of Austin-the hardy adventurers who blazed their way through the bottom of the Brazos, will not permit the soul stirring scenes of former days to fade from memory, or go unchronicled before the wit• nesses are called upon to follow their faithful Pioneer to other, and more beautiful prairies of the spirit Ian~." • It may be asked by Austin friends, What will be done with this material when collected? We reply that it will be placed with the matter·we have already obtained, and carefully preserved for the future historian of Austin and Texas. In order to facilitate our means of obtaining the information which may be contributed, the following gentlemen will please act as our agents in receiving communications and transmitting the same by safe hands to
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