The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume II

Papers of Mirabeau B. Lamar, Volume II.

B!.25-820-000

TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

THE PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR

Edited from the ori~nal papers in the Texas State Library . by

Charles Adams Gulic:it, Jr., · with the assistance

of

Katherine Elliott, Archivist, T,exas State Library

Volume II.

AUITiff. TEXAS ,. C. ■ALDWIN a Sol'• PRINTERS 1022

,c 1 ,.,r, 1 ihrary y; ~"I+

CONTENTS

. Page Signs and abbreviations ........................... , ............. iv Chronology...................................................iv Prefatory note................................................. v Bibliographical description ...................................... vi Errata........................................................ x The Papers of l\firabeau Buonaparte Lamar ............... -'· ..... 1

SIGNS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A. Autograph. D. Document. Df. Draft. ::\IS. ::\Ianuscript. N. Note. R. Rubricated. S. Signed. [ ] Words or letters supplied. Omissions. [ T] Doubtful. C. Approximately. Q.V. Which see. Cf. Compare.

CHRONOLOGY OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 1798-1859

Born at Louisville, Georgia. Trip to Texas; declaration of intention to become a citizen. Battle of San Jacinto; Lamar commander of the ravalry. Attorney General in President's Burnet's Cabinet. Secretary of \Var in Burnet's Cabinet. Letter to the President and Cabinet regarding the Mexican prisoners. Resignation as secretary of war. Commission as major general and eommander-in- chief of the Army of Texas. Inaugnaration as Vice-President of Texas. Inauguration as President of Texas. Expulsion of the Cherokees from Texas. Santa Fe expedition. In retirement. Commander of the Laredo garrison. Appointment vs minister to Argentina. Commission as minister to Nicaragua. Commissions as minister resident to Nicaragua and minister to Costa Rica.

1798 Aug. 16 1835 August

1836 Apr. 21

1836 April[fl 1836 May 1836 )fay 12 1836 May 26 1836 June 25 1836 Oct. 22 1836 Dec. 10 1839 1841 ,June 1842-6 1846-8 1857 ,July 1857 D!'C. 23 1858 Jan. 20 1859 ,July 1859 Dec. 19

Return to the United States. Death at Richmond, Texas.

PREFATORY NOTE

It has been called to the attention of the assistant editor that the nature of the manuscripts printed in extenso in volume I of the Lam{!r Papers is not altogether clear, for the statement in its preface that "unless otherwise indicated all documents are autograph manu- scripts" is not applicable in every case, and, consequently, does not make the ·reader independent of the Calendar. Since attention was called to this matter after volume II had gone to press, and too late for notes to be incorporated in the body of the volume, it has been thought advisable to append the following bibliographical description of documents printed in extenso herein, following the bibliographical notes in the Calendar to the Lamar Papers.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

708-11, Calendar synopsis. 712, A. L. S. 2p, 713, A. L. 'S. 3p. 714, Calendar synopsis. 715, A. L. S. 3p. 716, Printed.- 7p. 717-8, Calendar synopsis.

Nos. No.

No. 640, A. Df. S. 7p. Nos. 641-2. Calendar synopsis. No. 643, A. Df. 4p. 644, A. L. S. 3P. 645, Calendar synopsis. 646, A. Df. lp. 647, Calendar synopsis, 648, A. D. S. 4p. 649, A. Df. 5p. Nos. 65 2-5, Calendar synopsis. No. 656, 4p. See editor's note. 657, Calendar synopsis. 658, A. L. S. 4p. 659, A. L. S. 3p, 660, Calendar synopsis. 650, A. L. 'S. lp, 651, A. L. S. 3p,

Nos. No.

719, A. L. S. lp, 720, A. L. S. lp. 721, A. L. S. 3p. 722, L. S. 3p.

723, 724, A. L. 'S. 3p. 725-9, Calendar synopsis. 730, A. L. S. lp. 731, A. L. S. lp. 732-3, Calendar synopsis. 734, L. S. 3p. 735-6, Calendar synopsis. 737, A. L. S. lp. 738, Calendar synopsis. 739, L. S. 2p. 740-2, Calendar synopsis. 743, A. L. S. 2p. 744, N. 'S. lp. 745, 2P. See editor's note. 746, 6p. See editor's note. 747, A. L. S. 3p. 748, A. L. S. 2p. 749, A. L. S. 3p. 750, Calendar synopsis. 751, A. L. S. 3p. 752, A. L. ·s. 3p, 753, A. L. S. 3p. 754, A. L. S. 3p. 755, A. L. S. 3p. 756, A. L. S. 2p. 757, A. L. S. 3p. 758, A. L. S. 3p, 759-61, Calendar synopsis. 762, A. L. ·s. 3p. 763, A. L. S. 2p. 764, A. L. S. 2p. 765, Calendar synopsis. 766, A. L. S. 2p. 767, A. L. S. lp. 768, A. L. S. 2p. 769, 2p. See editor's note. 770, A. L. ·s. 3p.

Nos.

No.

Nos. No. Nos. No.

661, A. L. S. lp, 662, A. L. S. 3p. 663, A. L. 'S. 3p. 664, A. L. S. 2p, 665, A. L. s. 2p.

Nos. 666, D. S. of T. Leger and No. Ji. lJ?:Cll'IIOII T. Thompson. "

Nos. 667-8, Calendar synopsis. No. 669, A. L. S. 7p, " 670, Calendar synopsis. 671, A. L. S. 3p. Nos. 672-5, Calendar synopsis. No. 676, A. L. S. lp. 677, A. L. 'S. lp. 678, Calendar synopsis.

679, A. L. S. 2p. 680, A. N. S. lp. 681, L. S. 2p. 682, Calendar synopsis.

683, A. L. S. lp. 684, A. L. S. 2p, Nos. 685-6, Calendar synopsis. No. 687, A. L. S. 4p, 688, Calendar synopsis. 689, 2p. 'See editor's note. 690, A. L. S. 2p, 691, Calendar synopsis. 692, A. L. S. 3p. 693, A. L. S. 4p. 694, L. S. 2p, Nos. 695-8, Calendar synopsis. No. 699, A. L. 'S. 2p. 700, Calendar synopsis.

Nos. No.

771, A. L. S. 3p. 772, A. L. S. 3p. 773, A. L. S. 2p. 774, A, Df. S. 2p. 775, A. L. S. lp. 776, A. L. ·s. lp.

701, A. L. S. lp. 702, A. L. S. lp.

703, See editor's note. 704, Calendar synopsis. 705, Copy, 4p. 7 0 fl, Calendar synopsis. 707, A. L. S. 7P.

777, A. L. S. 2p. 778, A. L. S. -3p. 779-80, Calendar synopsis. 781, A. L. S. lp.

Nos. No.

vii

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

782, A. L. s. lp. 783, Calendar synopsis. Nos. 784, 785, A. L. s. 4p. No. 785a, A. L. s. 2p. 786, A. L. s. lp. 787, A. Df. s. 2p. 788, A. L. s. 2p_ 789, A. L. s. 2p. 790, A. L. s. 2p. 791, Calendar synopsis. Nos. 793-6, Calendar synopsis. No. 797, A. L. s. lp. 798, A. L. s. 2p. 792, A. D. s. 2p.

Nos. 863-4, Calendar synopsis. No. 865, A. L. s. 3p.

866, A. Df. 6p. 868, A. L. s. 4p. 869, A. L. s. 4p. 867, Calendar synopsis. 870, A. L. s. (Carbon). 7p. 871, A. L. s. 2p. 872, A. L. s. 3p. 873, Calendar synopsis.

874, A. L. s. 2p. 875, A. L. s. 2p .. 876, A. L. s. 2p. 877, A. L. s. 2p. 878, A. L. S. lp.

799, A. L. S. 800, A. L. s. 3p. 2p. 801, A. L. s. 2p.

Nos. 879--81, Calendar synopsis. No. 882, 3p. See editor's note. 883, A. L. s. 3p. 884, A. L. s. 3p.

Nos. 802-4, Calendar synopsis. No. 805, A. L. s. 4p.

"

806, A. Df. 3p. 807, A. L. s. 2p. 808, A. L. s. 3p. 809, A. L. s. 3p. 810, A. L. ·s. 3p. 811, A. L. s. 3p. 812, Copy. 2P. 813, A. L. s. 3p.

885, Calendar synopsis. 886, A. L. s. lp. 887, D. s. 2p. 888, A. L. s. 2P. 889, Calendar synopsis.

890, A. L. S.

lp.

Nos. 891-2, Calendar synopsis. No. 893, A. L. s. 2p.

894, D. s. 2P. 895, A. L. s. lp. 896, L. s. 2p.

814, Calendar synopsis. 815, A. L. s. 3p. 816, A. L. s. 3p. 8·17, A. L. s. 2p.

Nos. 897-900, Calendar synopsis. No. . 901, A. L. s. llp. Nos. 902-4, 'Calendar synopsis. No. 905, A. L. s. 4p.

Nos. 818-20, Calendar synopsis. No. 821, Anonymous. 27p. Nos. 823-5, Calendar synopsis. No. 826, A. L. s. 3p. Nos. 827-30, Calendar synopsis. No. 831, Copy (extract). 3p. " 822, A. L. s. lp. 832, A. L. s. lp. 833, Calendar synopsis. 834, lp. See editor's note. 835, A. L. s. 5p. 836, A. L. s. 6p. 837, A. L. s. l0p. 838, Calendar synopsis. 839, A. L. s. 3p. "

.

"

906, Calendar synopsis. 907, A. L. s. 2p.

Nos. 908-9, Calendar synopsis. No. 910, A. N. s. 2p. 911, Calendar synopsis.

912, A. L. S. 2p.

913, llp. See editor's note. 914, 7p. See editor's note. 915, A. L. s. lp. 916, A. D. s. 2p.

917, L. s.

lp.

918, A. Df. s. lp. 919, A. D. 2p.

840, A. L. s.

2p.

841, Calendar synopsis. 842, A. L. S. 2p. 843, Calendar synopsis. 844, A. L. s. -llp. 845, A. L. s. 3p. 846, A. L. s. 8p. 847, A. N. s. lp. 848, Calendar synopsis. 849, A. L. s. 3p.

Nos. 920-2, Calendar synopsis. No. 923, A. L. S. lp. 924, A. L. s. 3p. Nos. 925-9, Calendar synopsis. No. 830, D. s. 2p. Nos. 931-2, Calendar synopsis. No. 933, A. N. s. lp. " 934, A. L. s. 2p. 935, Calendar synopsis. Nos. 937-8, Calendar synopsis. No. 939, A. L. s. lp. 936, L. s. lp_

Nos. 850-1, Calendar synopsis. No. 852, A. L. s. 3p. Nos. 853-4, Calendar synopsis.

No. 855, Copy ( ?) .

lp.

"

940, Copy. lp. 941, A. L. s. 3p. 942, L. s. 2p. 943, A. L. s. 4P. 944, A. L. s. 2p. 945, Calendar synopsis.

856, A. L. s. 2p.

Nos. 857-8, Calendar synopsis. No. 859, A. L. s. lp. Nos. 860-1, Calendar synopsis. No. 862, A. L. s. 12p.

viii

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DESCRIP'l'ION

1033, Calendar synopsis. 1034, A. L. S. 2p. 1035, Calendar synopsis. 1036, A.. L. S. lp.

946, A. L. S. lp. 9 4 7, Sp. See editor's note. 948, 32p. See editor's note. 949, Calendar synopsis. 950, A. L. S. lP. 951, Copy. lp. 952, Calendar synopsis. 953, L. S. 2p. 954-5, Calendar synopsis.. 956, A. D. S. lp. 957-8, Calendar synopsis. 959, A. L. S. 2p. 960-1, Calendar synopsis. 962, D. S. (Printed form filled out). lp, 963, Copy. 2p. 964, L. S. 12p. 965-6, Calendar synopsis 967, A. L. S. lp. 968, Df. 4P. 969, A. Df. 2p. 970, A. Df. 2p, 971, Calendar synopsis. 972, Df. 6p_ 973, A. DE. of J. B. Ransom. 2p. . 97 4-5, Calendar synopsis. 976, 2p. See editor's note. 977, Calendar synopsis. 978, A. DE. 5p. 979, Calendar synopsis. 980, A. L. S. 5p. 981, Calendar synopsis. 982, A. L. S. 2p. 983, Calendar synopsis. .984, A. L. 'S. 3p. 985, A. L. S. 3p. 986, A. N. S. 2P. 987, Calendar synopsis. 988, A. Df. 2p. 9 8 9-9 4, Calendar synopsis. 995, A. N. S. lp. 996, A. L. S. 2p. 997, A. L. S. 3p. 998-9, Calendar synopsis. 1000, Copy. 2p. 1001, Calendar synopsis. 1002, A. L. S. 7p. 1003, Calendar synopsis. 1004, A. L. S. 6p. 1005-8, Calendar synopsis. 1009, A. L. S. 2p, 1010-1011, Calendar synopsis. 1012, A. L. S. 3p. 1013, A. L. S. 3p. 1014, A. L. S. lp. 1015, lp. See editor's note. 1016, Copy. lp. 1017, A. L. S. ·lp. 1018-21, Calendar synopsis. 1022, A. L. S. lp. 1023, L. 8. lp. 1024, A. L. S. 3p. 1 O 2 !i-31, Calendar synopsis. 1032, L. S. 3p.

1037-46, Calendar synopsis. 1047, A. D. of Harrison Owen, postmai;ter and com;1.ty clerk. 2p. 1048, Calendar synopsis. 1049, A. L. S. Sp, 1050, Calendar synopsis. 1051, A. L. S. lp. 1052-4, Calendar synopsis. 1055, A. L. S. 3P. 1056, A. L. S. lp. 1057, A. L. S. 7P. 1058, A. L. S. lp. 1059, Calendar synopsis. 1060, A. L. S. 2P. 1061, Calendar synopsis. ·1062, A. L. S. lp, 1063, Calendar synopsis. 1064, A. L. ·s. 3p. · 1065, A. L. S. 3p. 1066-8, Calendar synopsis. 1069, A. L. S. 3p. 1070-1, Calendar synopsis. 1072, A. L. S. 3p. 1073, Calendar synopsis. 1074, A. I,. S. 2p, 1075-6, Calendar synopsis. 1077, A. L. S. 2p. 107 8, Calendar synopsis. 1079, 3p. See editor's note. 1080, 2p. See editor's note. 1081, A. L. S. lp. 1082, L. S. 3p, 1083, L. S. (Duplicate). 2p. 1084, Copy by Lamar. 4p, 1085, A. L. S. lP. 1086, A. L. S. 3p. 1087, lp. See editor's note. 1088, Calendar synopsis. 1089, A. L. S. 3p. 1090, Calendar synopsis. 1091, A. L.• S. lp. 1092, A. L. S. lp. 1093, A. L. S. 3p. 1094, lp. See editor's note. 1095, A. L. S. 2p. 1096, L. S. 2p. 1097-9, Calendar synopsis. 1100, 4p. See editor's note. 1101-2, Calendar synopsis. 1103, D. S. 4p, 1104, Calendar synop11is. 1105, A. L. S. 3p. 1106, A. L. S. lp. 1107, A. N. S. 2p. 1108, A. L. S. 5p. 1109, Calendar synopsis. 1110, A. N. S. lP. 1111, Calendar synopsis. 1112, A. L. S. 4p. 1113-6, Calendar synopsis.

Nos. No.

Nos. :\'o. Nos. No. Nos. No.

Nos. No.

Nos. No.

Nos. No. Nos. No.

Nos. No.

Nos. No.

Nos. No.

Nos. No.

Nos. No. Nos. No. "

Nos. No. Nos. No.

Noe. No.

Noe. ~o.

Nos.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION

lX

Nos. No.

1217-21, Calendar synopsis. 1222, A. L. S. 3p. 1223, Calendar synopsis. 1224, A. L. S. 4p. 1225, N. S. lp. 1226-30, Calendar synopsis. 1231, lp. See editor's note. 1232, 3p. 'See editor's now~- 1233, 2p. See editor's note. 1234, A. D. s. of James Webb. 3p. 1235, A. N. S. 3p. 1236-7, Calendar synopsis. 1238, Copy by J. B. Ransom. 2p. 1239, A. L. S. 2p. 1240, A. L. S. 2p. 1241, D. S. 4p. 1242-3, Calendar synopsis. 1244, L. 'S. lp. 1245, Calendar synopsis. 1246, A. N. S. 2p. 1247, A. L. S. 2p. 1248, Calendar synopsis. 1249, A. L. S. 2p. 1250, A. L. S. 3p. 1251, A. L. S. 2p. 1252, A. L. S. 2p. 1253, A. L. 'S. lp. 1254, A. L. S. 4p. 1255, Calendar synopsis. 1256, lp. See editor's note. 1257, L. S. (By proxy). lp. 1258, Calendar synopsis. 1259, 2p. See editor's note. 1260-3, Calendar synopsis. 1264, A. N. S. 2p_ 1265-6, Calendar synopsis. 1267, D. S. 2p. . 1268-73, Calendar synopsis. 127 4, A. L. 'S. 8p. 1275-9, Calendar synopsis. 1282, See Err<Vtp, p. 578. 1283, Calendar l!ynopsis. 1284, lp. See editor's note. 128'5, Calendar synopsis. 1286, A. D. S. 2p. 1287, A. L. S. 2p. 1288, 3p. 'See editor's note. 1289, Calendar synopsis. 1290, 2p. See editor's note. 1291, 5p. See editor's note. 1292, A. L. S. 2p_ 1293, D. S. 2p. 12 94, 4p. See editor's note. 1295, A. L. S. 3p. French. 1296, L. ·s. 2p. 1297, 7p. See editor's note. 1298, 2p. See editor's note. 1299, 2p. See editor's note. 1300, A. L. S. 4p. 1301, 2p. See editor's note. 1302, 2p. See editor's note. 1280, A. L. S. 2p, 1281, A. L. S. 3p.

1117, A. L. S. 2p. 1118-9, Calendar synopsis. 1120, A. L. S. 2p. 1121, A. N. S. lp_ 1122, Calendar synopsis.

No.

Nos. No. "

1123, lp. See editor's note. Nos. 1124, A. L. S. 3p. No. 1125, A. L. 'S. 2p.

Nos. 1126-9, Calendar synopsis. No. 1130, A. D. lp.

' 1131, A. D. S. 2P. Nos. 1132-4, Calendar synopsis. No. 1135, A. L. S. 4p. The ap- Nos. pended note is signed by No. K. H. Douglas, but written by J. S. May- " field. Nos. 1136-9, Calendar synopsis. No. 1140, A. L. S. 2p_ Nos. 1141-4, Calendar synopsis. No. 1145, A. L. S. 2p. Nos. 1146-53, Calendar synopsis. No. 1154, A. N. S. 3p. 1155, Copy. 5p. 1156, Calendar synopsis. 1157, A. L. 'S. 3P. 1158, Copy. 5p. Nos. 1159-60, Calendar synopsis. No. 1161, A. L. S. 2p. " 1162, 3p. See editor's note. Nos. 1163-6, Calendar synopsis. No. 1167, A. L. S. 2p .. " 1168, Calendar synopsis. 1169, A. L. S. Sp. Nos. 1170-3, Calendar synopsis. No. 1174, A. L. S. 4p_ Nos. 1175-6, Calendar synopsis. No. 1177, A. L. S. 2P. 1178, A. N. 'S. lp_ Nos. 1179-83, Calendar synopsis. No. 1184, L. S. 2p. " 118,5, D. S. 3p. Nos. 1186-7, Calendar synopsis. No. 1188, A. Df. S. 2p. Nos. 1189-90, Calendar synopsis. No. 1191, A. L. 2p. Nos. 1192-3, Calendar synopsis. No. 1194, A. L. S. 3p, 1195, 2p. See editor's note. 4 Nos. No. Nos. No. Nos. No. Nos. No. Nos. No. "

1196, A. L. 'S. 4p. 1197, A. L. 'S. 3p, 1198, A. L. S. 3p_ 1199, A. L. S. 3p. Nos. 1200-2, Calendar synopsis. No. 1203, Broadside. Nos. 1204-6, Calendar synopsis. No. 1207, A. L. S. lp. Nos. 1208-9, Calendar synopsis. No. 1210, L. S. lp.

1211, A. L. S. 5p. 1212, A. L. S. 2p, • 1213, Calendar synopsis. 1214, A. L. 'S. 3p_ '

1215, A. L. S. 5p. 1216, A. N. 'S. lp.

ERRATA.

P. 27, in postscript to no 663, 1. 6, for "me" read be. P. 47, for no. 604 read no. 694. P. 63, par. 1, 1. 14, for "repart" read report. P. 166, the note reference in heading of no. 746 is to footnote on p. 165. P. 176, no. 754, par. 1, 1. 6, for "vicanage" read vicinage. P. 178, no. 757, par. 2, 1. 20, for "received" read receive. P. 180, par. 4, 1. 1, for "shuld" read should. P. 183, no. 764, par. 2, 1. 9, for "conforming" read confirming. \P. 232, 1. 2, for "vessel" read vessels. P. 235, 1. 35, for "vesesls" read vessels. P. 237, no. 822, 1. 1, for "Eccllency" read Excellency, P. 242, in signatures and endorsements of nos. 831 and 832, for "T. I. Green" read T. J. Green. P. 256, No. 842, par. 1, 1. 6, for "althought" read although. P. 261, 1. 13, for "t[hier]" read t[helr]. P. 266, par. 1, 1. 2, for "effectvally" read effectually. P. 268, no. 849, par. 1, 1. 11, for "plase" read please. P. 270, par. 2, 1. 13, for "unequivacally" read unequivocally. P. 273, no. 859, par. 1, 1. 7, for "wll" read will. P. 276, 1. 2, for "you" read your. Par, 4, 1. 1, for "accompanying" read accompany [accompanies]. P. 282, par. 1, 1. 7, for "emmense" read immense. P. 287, par. 3, 1. 2, for "Couse" read Cause. P. 298, 1. 20, for "your" read you. P. 203, no. 788, par. 3, 1. 3, for "man" read men. P. 210, par. 7, 1. 1, for "Hocyley" read Hockley. P. 217, 1. 1.1, for "authorized" read authorized. P. 221, par. 1, 1. 4, for "Louisiant" read Louisiana. P. 364, 1. 9, for "dividents" read dividends. P. 365, par. 1, 1. 18, for "dager" read danger. P. 368, 1, 10, for "axquired" read acquired. P. 372, for the first "no. 956" read no. 955. P. 378, Par. 1, 1. 8, for "relive" read relieve. P. 379, par. r, 1. 32, for "smokes" read smoke. P. 383, no. 967, par. 1, 1. 4, for "if" read of. L. 5, for "of" read if. P. 384, 1. 31, for "lins" read lines. P. 406, par. 1, 1. 4, for "entitled" read entitle. P. 410, par. 1, 1. 8, for "subject" read subject. P. 418, par. 7, 1. 1, for "nlke" read like. P. 452, no. 1068, In heading after "Plummer", for[.] read [,]. P. 480, no. 1107, 1. 7, for "thought" read though. P. 492, no. 1129, In second line of heading omit "TO". P. 494, delete 1. 6. P. 498, In postscript of no. 1140, for "Intelligence" read Intelligencer. P. 507, par. 2, 1. 27, after "population" insert from. P. 510, 1. 4, for "J~ndorsee" read Endorser. No. 1162, par. 1, 1. 3, for "he" read the. P. 512, par. 3, 1. 3, for "send to" read send off. P. 513, No. 1169, par. 1, 1. 6, for "He s".read He is. P. 630, 1. 3, for "deely" read deeply. No. 1199, par. 1, 1. 4, for "konw" read know. P. 532, par. 2, 1. 20, for "had supply" read had to supplJ'.· P. 533, par. 7, 1, 10, for "very" read verge, P. 305, par. 1, 1. 3, for "out" read our. P. 352, 1. 7, for "deriring" read deriving. P. 354, 1. 6, for "estraints" read restraints. P. 355, 1. 17, for "authentiated" read authenticated. P. 358, 1. 10, for "nquiring" read enquiring. P. 31>9, par. 1, 1. 2, for "then" read than. P. 361, par. 2, 1. 10, for "rightfull" read rightfully.

ERRATA

Xl

'P. 540, P. 547, P. 550, P. 553, P. 554, P. 560, P. 570, P. 578, no. 1215, par. 2, 1. 20, for "Stanta Anna" read Santa Anna. no. 1229, in heading omit final comma. 1. 20, for "thing" read think. no. 1236, in heading, for "(1839 Apri?]" read (1839, Apr.?]. no. 1239, par. 1, 1. 8, for "accaomplished" read accomplished. par. 4, 1. 12, for "accurred" read occurred. par. 1, 1. 2, for "meathod" read method. L. 4, for "Exening"- read Evening. after document no. 1281, insert: No. 1282, 1839 May 20, J[ohn] M. Allen, Galveston, to M. B. Lamar, Houston. Send- ing a letter from B. H. Norton of New York, [Feb. 25]. Draft drawn on government by Dr. Ashbel Smith, which he [Allen] endorsed, and which was to have been paid in specie or its equivalent, has not been paid. ·second demand for payment would not have been made had he not been too poor to pay it himself. His suffering in consequence of the affair in credit and feelings. Lamar's immediate attention to it requested. A. L. S. 2p. See nos. 734 and 1903. ·p, 580, 1. 1, for "$9,000" read $9,500. L. 18, for "ncessary" read neces- sary. P. 582, par. 2, 1. 7, for "eneregies" read energies.

P. 584, par. 1, 1. 13, for "to" read the. ·p, 596, 1. 39, for "shouild" read should.

Papers of Mirabeau Buonapart~ Lamar

No. 640 [1837?] A. B. LONGSTREET, f AUGUSTA? GEORGIA?], T'O [M. B. LAMAR, AUGUSTA 1 GEORGIA?] vVe consider the advantages & disadvantages of the Union The advantages are 1st. Immediate protection 2d. alternate security from war with Mexico on one hand & the U. S on the other. I do not add the advantage of our boasted form of Governt. because Texas can adopt that form, if she chooses, with the improvements upon it which experience has suggested. Ansicer. If at this time Texas can maintain herself against Mexico, she never can hereafter have any thing to dread from her. Indeed Texas must enlarge her borders with every conflict with that power- Little is to be apprehended from war with the U. S. Her institu- tions & the habits of her people, are utterly opposed to war. She never has engaged and never will engage in an offensive war- and the probability of her so doing demimishes as her limits increase- for this simple reascn ; every war of conquest adds power to that section of the Union in which it is carried on, and every other sec- tion will consequently oppose it~ 'I'he Senate also will be an insuper- able barrier to warR of conquest. The states conterminous to Texas, and those alone cari feel a deep interest in conquering her; but would the remote states allow. them to do it- so far from it; the remote states will not consent to her voluntary subjugation- A thing worthy to be r·emembered by the Texians; for it is a ·warning to her not to be careless of her political Institutions in the hope that they are soon to be useless. She cannot for twenty years at least, (I doubt wheth- er she ever can be) received into the Union without some humiliating concessions, which will be ultimately dangerous, if not ruinous to her interests. She cannot until new states formed imniediately on her northern border, and the southern states together, make a ma- jority in congress- V.Till this ever be the case. States ever have grown up more rapidly in the N. vVest than in the So. vVest; and they are always more powerful in population- So it will be until until [sic] the states reach the Pacific But the states most interested in conquest, are the very ones which would have identity of feeling, interest, & consequently friendship, with Texas. ·Could the southern states be goaded to a war with Texas- No, because Texas is filled with their brothers & their children; and it is the land of their retreat as their own lands wear out, or dangers thicken at the North. But suppose war with the U. S. and conquest by them. What then.? Why Texas will then be annexed to the U. S. Just what is desired· by the majority in Texas now. But I have no fear of a war. From the establfshment of our Government Canada -has reposed in peace on one extreme of our country & Florida & Mexico ·on the other, without.the first movement towards an offensive war by the U. S. upon either. •. If the experiment of our Governt. has placed any 1-Library,

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one principle beyond dispute, it is, that our people are never to be a wal'-people. Disadvantages. 1 The North & Northwest must in the very n~ture of the thino-s rule the South & South West. I know there will be occasional ~olitical sp8.'3ms that will change for a ~oment, this natural order of things; but back to it they will speedily come; as certainly, as that men act from their own interests. The North & N. ·west, must be a commercial, and manufacturing people. The South & S. West must be an agricultural people. The former are religiously opposed to slavery - The latter are necessarily slave holders- The former are a sober calculating people- the latter are a high spirited, ardent people. The former hold the power- the latter, the wealth, of the nation: and it is not to be disguised that their are pretty strong antipathies already engendered between them. Here then are all the elements of the most merciless & tanta- lising dispotism on the one hand, that ever was exercised by man to his fellow man; and of the most galling & unmitigated slavery on the other, that ever was endured by man. The security against these consequences, and the only security, is the Constitution of the United States. This is no security at all, unless it be :first, candidly expound- ed by those in power, and afterwards honestly obeyed; and every interest and every feeling of those in power, we have just seen are opposed to either. What have been the lessons of experience upon this head? \Vhile parties rose and fell only from the strength or weak~ ness of their political creeds, things went on well enough; but as soon as they became united by common & local interest all considerations of justice were immediately lost sight of. The manufacturing inter- ests were supported at the expense of all others, first under plausi- ble pretexts, and afterwards in open violation of the sperit of the constitution, if not of its very letter. Nothing but a train of fortu- nate circumstances prevented the North & Est from expending the immense treasure which they had extorted from the South, in sub- jecting her to unconditional submission If the dominant party find the senate in their way, the senate will be instrncted out of the way- If the Supr,eme Court stand in their way; the party makes the Presi- dent and the President makes the Judges, and he will soon mold them to his will --or they will lay off new circuits enough, to put a majority of new judges on the bench. It is certainly true that their is not a more irrespo[n] sible unapproachable dispostism under heaven, than a dominant party united by local interests and acting under a constitutional form of Government. The single Despot has his own honest, pride, dignity, and grandeur identified with the glory and happiness of his people at large. 'The Band of Despots, have no personal interest in the happiness of any section of the country but their own- The sin~le Dispot is alone, responsible for his acts- The Band of Despots divide their responsibility so minutely, that it is virtually extinguished altogether- at least it is sensibly felt by none- The single Despot has the common feelings & sympathies of ma-n- The band of Despots, have none of them- as the responsi- bilities of crime, are lost by division among them; so are the rewards of vertue---You may beg your dues from, the benevolencs, or sym- pathy single Prince; you never can, from a multitude of Princes

1 PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 3 because they have no such sentiments- When the Single Prinee offends he offends the whole nation, who are safe in demanding re- dress- or his head-W:hen a corps of Princes offend, they offend only the weaker section, which they can crush without peril-But I am enlarging too much-My design was only to give you a synopsis of my views. I should have added however, that the single Dispot has no pretext for wrong-The Constitutional Despots will always find in the charter, a plain authority for their outrages- the finest cover for Dispotism that ever was thought of, because it gives to it all the features Equity, and transforms its opposers into rebels against their own government. ''l'he U. S. are perpetually enlarging, and consequently the dangers just hinted are perpetually increasing. Now Texas, through all her length & breadth, has, and for a long time must have a common in- terest. Never can she be expDsed to the dangers from diversified interests, to which we are exposed. Her seclusion, is therefore, so far her safety. Her staples will find a market all over the word, and as articles are valuable in proportion to the demand for them she must be rich; immensely rich. If she keeps her treasure to herself, she can in a little time embank her canals with silver and pave her roads with gold- But if she put her ·resources under the control of congress, my life on it she will get but a few pence of them, while all the rest iii expended ip_ the Eastern Northern & North sister states. And if ever you get into the Union by the consent of these states, you may rest assured it will be owing to their forecast in seeing these uses which may be made of you. You have but little coast to guard; the U. S. have an immense coast- you have but few roads to con- struct~ we have countless numbers- you have but few of!icers to pay; we have myraids- In short-the expenses of your Govern- ment, to ours, will be as one to a hundred; whiie your resources to ours (territory considered) will be as ten to one. Again, you can form a better Government than ours-you have seen the defects of ours, and may now guard against them. I ·wish that time would permit me to enlarge upon this head; but it will not. I am consoled by the refection however, that they are well known to you. All that I will venture to suggest is, that the great security for all interests in a government, is in having all interests represented, and so repre- sented, that every interest may act as a check upon others- Thus if you put farmers and manufacturers together, and say that they shall be governed by the vote of the majority, why then, whichever class has the majority, will favor itself, and oppress the other, But if you say that they should form two distinct bodies and that nothing shall become.a law, that has not the sanction of both, it is impossible that either can favor itself or oppress the other. I give you this hint in this form, because it is most simple & perspicuous when thus presented. The application of it, I must leave to yourself- it matters not in what form it be applied, if the principle be carried out. Indeed I have not duly considered the ways and means of applying most suc- cessfully; simply because I considered it hopeless of application in the land where I have always expected to live and die. But there seems to me, not much difficulty in applying it. The three important

TEXAS STA'rE LIBRARY ..

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interests, are, the agricultural, the commercial & manufacturing--r- supposc instead of tnm~ling all together, the Co~gress s~ould be composed of three bodies from these classes exclusively, with other cherks & balances-- I know not whether any, others would be neces- sary, for you here would find all the safeguards that w_e now seek, from the legislative power, of the senate, & the Executive-But a few hours is too short a time, to unfold this system at large- Take it and think upon it- If onr form of Governt. be the model- then make your sena-te perfectly independed, and give it little or no law-making pow·er. 1\fake it a checking power almost entirely; and .put its stability entire- ly beyond the reach of people, Executive & House of Representatives. Be not afraid of imbicility in the government. I have watched the operation of onrs. carefully, & I fearlessly assert, that not one in one hundred trnly sound and necessary laws, has ever been rejected by any one branch of the Govt. 'There .is no diffrculty in passing neces- sai~y laws through twenty separate bodies of majistracy. · Let your Judici<1ry be made equa}1y independent-But again I am off the line, which you marked out for me. The United States must at no distant day I think break up in revolution-when I say distant I compute time by the usual dura- tion of repul;ilics- She will doubtless go.through the usual struggles- She will totter, and rise again-suffer, a,nd reform abuses-_be wounded and healed again; but she must I fear soon fall- Inde- pendent of her growing might- there is a manifest tendency to in- subordination; and she is corrupt from her heart to her extremities. These are some of the fruits of her ready adoption of the ·filth of the world as her own offsprings. I do not say that all foreigners who come hither are a calamity-far from it. 1\fany of them very many of them are ornaments to our country- But alas, many of them arc the rankest poison that ever was taken into the body politic- without sense, without principle, without patriotism. T·he evil stops not with their positive transgressions. Inteligence & morality are indispensible to the safety and happiness of a republic. How are you to spread the lights of science among a people, growing con- tinually by loathsome accretions 1 You adopt a ship load of degrad- ed wretches to day-You shake off their rags-you educate them you breathe into them and their children the spirit of freemen- and tomorrow, come ten ship-loads more, from the sinks of Europe, more vile than they-Let them come in all conscience; but let only their children, born in the redlm, have any thing to do with the g-overnt. directly or indirectly. As this cannot be, in our Country, the consequent evils, conspiring with other causes, must I fear soon undermine this govt. Kow from all the anticedent throes & convulsions, as well as the final catastrophe Texas may escape by keeping herself to herself_:_ to say nothing of the lesser national difficulties, which are for ever occurring in so vast a territory as ours- when the catastrophe c9mes, what_then will be your condition 1 You close your political career: as conquerors or conquered- most likely the latter; for the south builds ships; and ~he north mans them- the south pays armies and th<: north fills &. commands them-.Keep to yourselves and very likely,

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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR

you will in time have many 'distracted states petitioning to be let into your confederacy -At least your chance of long pea·ce, will be greater, the inore retired you are, from the joining interests of our illimit- able territory. I· must stop- I ·have thrown together the foregoing without order and without reflection- There is nothing in it, I sup- pose, that you have not thought of yourself; but the good int.t:_nt_ which prompted it, will be duly appreciated by you; and if there be one random idea that can be of service to you, I shall feel myself amply repaid for the little trouble that it has cost me- y our sincere friend · & wellwisher- A. B. Longstreet

No. 641

[1837?], ANONYMOUS

Historical notes on the circumstances and conditions of the sur- render of Fannin and the Goliad massacre. A? Df. 2 p. Incomplete. Almost illegible..

No. 642

[1837?], ALEX[ANDE]R LE RAY DE CHAUMONT, [HOUSTON? TEXAS]

Memorandum for CoL ·wells, regarding inquiries for mail and effects from New Orleans for Le Ray de Chaumont. A. Df. 1 p.

No. 643

[1837?, JAS. H. STARR, HOUSTON]. SUGGESTIONS FOR LAND LEGISLATION I would suggest that patents issue upon all claims not palpably fraudulent. that is, where no information has been given to the Comr.- Genl Land Office that fraud was practised in procuring the Certificate, and where only one certificate has been given to the same individual. The patent to be granted in the name of the person who procured the Certificate and to express upon its face that the claim upon which it is based will be subject to investigation for a period of five years- Then offer a reward to any one who will by other evidence than his own oath convict by an action in the District Court an individual of fraud in procuring any land Certificate-the reward to consist of a portion of the land upon which such Certificate may have been located. And to guard against malicious prosecutions make the prosecutor liable for costs in case of failure to convict. By this course the good titles or those founded upon the qualifi- cations required by law are virtually confirmed and purchasers

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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

are warned by the patent itself to examine well the character of tne claim before they risk their money. No injury results from this course to innocent purchasers. The law and the Constitution authorize the sale and purchase of head rights but promise nothing to the buyer which was not guaranteed to the Seller, and require that the assignee shall make the same proof respicting the qualifications of the original owner of the claim as would have been required of him had it never been trans- ferred, Now if the purchaser procure by false testimony a certifi- cate and patent for land he is no more an innocent holder than would be the man who procures a title by the same means in his own name and based upon his own qualifications. The principal consideration for which Lands are granted under our system is a residence in the country and that of course can only be done by the person to whom the iand is promised, and in pur- chasing a conditional right of this kind the buyer must look to the colonist for a compliance with the contract which he has ente1·ed into with the Government. And has no right to expect the govern- ment to confirm to him a claim which would have been forfeited in the hands of the Colonist. . The reasons why patents should issue in exact accordance with the Certificates are to me very apparent-The process prescribed by law for procuring a title from the Government admits of no change of parties in the record from the time the certificate is issued until the patent is furnished from the General Land Office- The claim is presented to the Board of L 1 and Comrs.-who give a certificate to the owner to be handed to the surveyor of the Dis- trict in which his selection is situated They also notify the Comr. Genl of the Land Office that i,iuch a certificate was by them issued to the individual mentioned bearing a certain date and for a speci- fied quantity of land. This Certificate when put into the hand of the Deputy Surveyor is strictly an office paper which with the field notes of survey must be returned by him to the County Surveyor who reco,rds and delivers it to the President of the Board of Comrs. and the latter receives the Government dues thereon and transmits, the field notes & certificate to the General Land Office-The Comr. General compares the certificate with the returns made to him by the Board of Comrs. and finding them to correspond with each other and with the fieldnotes issues his patent.-Now if transfers of certificates· be permitted this agreement in the records of the different offices will be destroyed A Certificate may be issued to A. B. assignee of C. D. and the survey made in the name of some subsequent pur- chaser and return to the Genl Land Office for E. F. Asignee of C. D. The Comr. Genl. must then issue a patent to a person to whom no certi~icate has been granted and moreover be made the judge of the- legahty of the transfers written on the Certificate-or what is worse still consider the holder of the Certificate entitled to the patenC

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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPA~TE LAMAR

No. 644

[1838?], M. BAKER, [HOUSTON?], TOM. B. LAMAR

Well --~------------······· ······· · - - - ----- Hauling for the sam.,_____ ______ Rope ' ' ' ' ' ' ·········-···--······-....._..__ _ _ _ _ _..,_..__ .., Pd for Hewing timber for house..............._____ '' for Hauling______·~····--- 3500. feet Weather boarding $70 per M,_______ 1500 " 11/4 inch plank 70....-...:...._________ 7000 Board $20, per thousand.....,'-_________ Pd for Building House $800....----------- For papering & painting·--------···..·-··-···- ·--·-··-·····• For paper ____ ______________ For 2 chimney~--------------- For Small Room....------- -----·---- For Kitchen ------------,------ For Dairy _________________ 5000, Rails at $25 per thousand__________

300.00- 5.00 4.00--=- 10.00 13.00- 240.00- 105.00 140.00- 55.00- 60.00- 50.00.- 30.00 10.00- 800.00 188.00

125.00

$2135.00

2135.00- 50.00

Pd Watkins & Welsh for Labor.....·------- " Jones ·----- 3 Kegs Nails @ $20 . Work of Negro Boy 3 months @ $20 p e r Mo .............-................

80.00'--< 60.00- 60.00-

$2,3,85.00

·window Sash ___________

30.00

$2415.00

Genl. Lamar I have made a rough sketch of the amount expended by me on my place and I am satisfied that I have paid in Cash about $3000- This may seem verry high, but every thing about here is extrava- gantly high. I will take 'three thousand Dollars for the place to be -delivered first of March next Yours M Baker~ [Addressed] Gen-Lamar Houston. [rubric]

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TEX,\S STATE LIBRARY

No. 645

[1837?], "Ui\J PATRIOTE" TO [l\IIRABEAU BUONAPARTE] LAl\IAR, HOUSTON, TEXAS His own readiness to take arms for Texa,s; his republican prin- ·ciplcs; his devotion to Lamar; Lamar's popularity. 2 p. French. No. 646 [18371, S. II. EVERITT, HOUSTON]. EDITORIAL ON LAMAR AS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY The Reader will find in to days paper, The name of Col Grayson announced as a Candidate for the office of Chief l\Iagistrat,-per- sonally we are friendly to Col. Grayson and Esteem him highly as a gentleman at the same time we frankly acknowledge that we differ with his friends, in the opinion they hold of the propriety or necessity of placeing his name before the people as a candidate for that high office. Nor do we Believe that public Opinion calls for the nomination as we are fully of opinion that it will create an unnecessary political Excitement and one, that in the present State of our Country is calculated to do no good vV e consider Gen !Jamar fully qualified to fill that important station and believe that his Election will give Entire Satisfaction to· the people- rEndorsed]

Editorial by Dr. Everett altered a little by l'\113L- . published in the Danner Houston

No. 647 [16'37], ANONYl\IOUS

'' Strictures on 'A lettl3r to the Hon. Henry Clay, on the annexa- tion of 'l'exas to the United States, by ·William E. Channing,' by a friend to Texas.'' Pamphlet. 12 p. Incomplete. l\Iutilated. No. 648 [c. 1837?], S. 'l'. BROWN. ACCOUNT OF HIS ESCAPE FROJ'\I GOLIAD 50 Saturday 27th. of March 183G was the day on which about 480 Texas vol1111tcrs who had suncndercd to the l\Iexicans as .prisinors of wm·, were 1akcn out and shot in cold blood I was one of the nombre and had the good fortune to make my escape ,vhich was as follows The. prisinors ,vcre ordered to form in Double file when ""Cr. with The Quarterly of the 'l'exas State Historical Association I, 54, an account by J. C. Duval, one of Brown's companions. '

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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPAltTE LAMAR

that was done, they were Divided in four Equell Divisions. I hapened in the first companey that was marched out of the fort. we were entirely Ignorant of · our approaching fate. untill the moment the firing comenced. The prisinors was in double file and a strong guard on each side After we had marched about hall a mile we were ordered to halt at the same time the guard on-the right of the prisinors pascd through as we the prisinors stood and was then all on one side they than fired this was· our first warning of the fate that had awaited us when this firing comcnccd the man who stood on my left was shot and fell on my shoulder. After the fireing was in a meashurc over I found my self unhurt I than made fo;r the River. I saw severall of my companions making there way for the same place most of them was woonded. when I reached the River I saw Mr. ·wingate of Montgomery standing in the water. He said he was wounded and could not swim the River. as I could Render him no assistance. I lift him in the same place After I had swam the river and was about to leave the .swamp. I saw 2 persons who had made there escape they were Runing for life pursued by 3 calvary soldiers they were soon over taken and put to death as soon as this was done the Mexicans soldiers Returned to the fort I than thought it a good time to leave my place of consealment as I entered the prarie I saw 2 more young men also leaving the swamp I soon joined them and we made the best of our way to Genl Houstons camp which we had understood was at rruscasrot on the colorado, we traveled untill the 31st. of March with out eating aney thing. but wild onions on t!1at day we Reached the Guadaloupc River we was lying on the Bank of the River when weighting the appoach of night to cross the stream when we heard a Rusling in the Bushe,s which proved to be an old sow and eight piggs. seven of which we kild we Kindled a fire and Roasted one of them which we feasted on by this time night came on and we prepaired to cross the River Each man with his 2 pigs on his shoulder we traveled 3 or 4 days when our provishions gave out and we were again obliged to Return to eating onions we had nearly reached the timber of the Labaca River when we discovered 3 hor,rns hid in the Edge o-f the prarie we were affraid to proccdc not noing where the owners of the horses were we therefore thought it best to conceal" ourselves untill night we had not remained exceding half an hour when 2 Mexicans the owners of the horses cam in we were with in 30 or 40 yards of the horses we supposed that they had Seen us when we went in to our place of conseal- ment as they came direct to us and took Duval and myself prisinors leaving Holiday concealed who they did not proceive in his place uf concealment. As we were proceding to there camp about 40 or 50 yards Duvall made his escape and Brooke to Run and was pursued by one of the Mexicans but succeeded in making his escape the other Mexican Remained holding me with one hand and a Drawn Knife in the other to prevent my doing the same as soon as the other l\iexican returned thay proceded with me to their camp when they immcdiatly sadled their hor,ses they held a consultation which I did not understand thay than mounted their

TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

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horses and Liberated me and I returned where I left Holida and found him in the same place after hunting for Duvall who we never saw after he run off we than returned to the camp. the l\Iexicans had left where we remained all night. the next day we continued our journey and came to a deserted ho:use we remained their 2 days we than proceded to the colarado where Holida lift me on account of my not being able to swim the river I than proceded up the river untill I found a canoe in which I crosed the river I proeeded on my way to the Brasos and was the next day taken prisinor by the advance guard of the Mexican army and earied into camp at Fort Bend on the Brasos River whire I remained untill after the Batle ·of San Jacinto when the mexicans army retreated I was caried on to l\Iexico with Genl. Fillisola where we arrived some time in August 1836 where I remained untill the 28 of 1\Iarch 1837, when I was Braught to l\Iatamoras with Genl Fillisola where I was liberated on the 17th. of June 1837. and on the 1st. of July I left for new orleans where I arrived on the 11th. of the Same month

S. T. Brown

[Endorsed] Letter of P. T. Brown 27 l\Iarch 1838

No. 649 [c 18371, l\L B. LAMAR, HOUSTON]. "BATTLE OF THE MISSION [REFUGIO]"

BATTLE OF· THE MISSIO:r--r Given rne by Sarnuel T. Brown

Samuel T. Brown, not quite 17 years old was a member of Col. Ward's battalion-from :Macon georgia-He was with Ward in the fight at the l\Iission- King obtained permission of Fannin to repair to Refugio-he was. there attacked by the Mexicans, about 50 or sixty, not much dam- age dono on either side. he sent an express to Col Fannin for aid; it was sent. Col. Ward went, leaving the fort of Goliad on the 12 1\Iarch 1836 with 125 men. reached the Mission on the evening of the next day & found 3 or 4 hundred Mexicans encamped about a mile of the [l\Ii] ssion. That night Capt. 'Tickner of Montg [o] m[er] y [vol] untcercd with some 20 under him to go and attack them; fired on them several rounds, killing Eight & putting them to route, with- out the Mexicans even returning the fire-Next morning a difficulty ensued between Capt. King & Col. Ward as to which was entitled to the Command, King insisting on it as he was. the person first deputed on the expedition & that Ward had. been sent not to superced him but to aid him only. Ward on the other hand insisted on the· command by virtue of his rank he being Lieut. Col. & King only Capt.

PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 11 This difficulty occasioned the two officers to separate. King with- drew with his men taking with his also Capt. Bradford & his · men 20 in number who had come to the Mission with Ward-King went to a farm eight miJ,es from the Mission; shortly after his leaving the Mission, a battle was fought by Col. Ward-Ward was attacked by Eleven hundred of the Enemy. (King left the Mission very early 111 the morning; directly he left ·ward endeavored to bring the Mexi- cans 300 strong into an engagemt in the open prarary They refused, retreated as Ward advanced; Ward's men about 110, were infantry, the Mexican force was cavalry, hence they could avoid a fight by keeping out of the way-Shortly after King left the Mission, ,met after Ward's ineffectual attempts to bring on ·an engagement, the enemy recd. reinforcemts making their numbers about Eleven hun- dred. They now attacked Ward who had previously retired into the Mission. The Enemy Charged the Mission; it was about 10 oclk in the morning-Ward's men fired not until the enemy came 'Up in 5lt yds of the Church when they opened a most destructive fire; the enemy fell back, but continued to return the 'Texan's fire but at too great distance to do any damage-In this way they kept fighting for some time when they made an r other] charge infantry & cavalry, . (the latter on the right) w [here] they shared the same fate of their charge-They retreated out of gun shot but still keep shooting with- out effect. They opened their artillery on the Church first with grape shot, then with Balls, but doing no injury, either to the Texans or to the walls of the Church. !n this way they kept up the fight (mak- ing in all four distinct & separate Charges on the Mission.) until about 4 oclk in the evening, when they at the distance of more than half a mile surrounded the Church with camp fires- After the close of the fight, King who had gone 8 miles off to a farm was now on his return and was intercepted by the enemy about 5 oclk, (directly after Ward's battle) and was destroyed-the Mexi- cans made a desperate charge on them and at a single blow almost destroyed every one, with the exception of one individual whose name is not remembered, who was wounded in the thigh but made his Elscape and brought the sad tidings to Ward in the Mission. Directly after the first charge of the enemy on the Mission, Ward discovering & dreading the inequality betwen his force & that of the enemy, he despatched a courier to Fannin, asking for reinforce- ments and also for a supply of ammunition, for his was failing,- The Courier delivered the dispatch to Fannin, who sent the same Courier back with the reply, that Ward must retreat that night from the }\fission & join him at Goliad, for that he himself was agoing to retreat from this post in consequence of an order to that effect from Genl. Houston-The Messenger bearing this reply, was intercepted on [his] return made prisoner by the Mexicans & murder[ed] The dispatch was broken open & read by the Mexicans and then by them sent to Ward. He recd. it about 11 oclk at night on the same day (14 1\farch)-He was thus surrounded in the Church, destitute of provisions & water and their ammunition almost exhausted. A coun- cil of war was immediately called, and it determined that they sho11ld

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