167
PAPERS OI!' :MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
·which I expressed in my address to the N. 0. Greys, at a collation provided for their reception ; but I might also avail myself of that friend's recollection of a pecuniary transaction in which I received a written obligation for a sum of money with the express understandin~ that it was not to be paid until after rny return From the United States. I sailed, if I mistake not, in the latter part of November; and on reaching M:obile communicated to Dr Roberts my proposed emigration; and at the same time, to the talented founder of the "M:obile Chronicle," on his inviting me to unite with hiin in the pub- lication of his paper I gave in substance the following answer, "that Texas was on the eve of a dreadful revolution, with bigotry and des- potism on the one side, and civil and religious liberty on the other, and that I felt it my duty as a lover of truth, justice and free gov- ernment to mingle in the struggle. Ile I doubt not will well recollect the circumstance. After all however, if these facts should prove in- sufficient to satisfy my opponents of my intentions at that time. I shall still have the proud satisfaction of knowing at least that I did' reforn, and not in the hour of ease but in the day of peril and dis- aster. Very shortly after my afrinll in Georgia, and before I could pmr- sibly settle my business, I received ·intelligence from Texas ·which in- duced me to abandon my private affairs to their fate, and hasten back to this country with all possible speed. I landed at Velasco about the date of the massacre at Goliad. A11 was panic and confusion. The· enemy was said to be close upon us. Unable to procure a horse, I started for our ai:my on foot; and as a private soldier joined th~, ranks of the gallant few who were still holding out thP !>anner of defiance to the foe. The battle of San Jacinto was fought, and the· Country saved. I was very soon after this battle invited into the Cabinet of the President, first at Attorney General, and then as Sec- retary of War. When it was understood that the ::.Vlexicans were aga1n marching on our borders with a formidable force, I repaired for the second time to the Standard of my County. The rumor proved to be u11foundeil. I was :mbseonentlv called hy my brave and confiding fellow citizens, to the station (vice-presidency) which T now have the honor to hold. At that election, the pre,;ent constitution of the Re- public was adopted by the people and under its provision, I took my seat as the presiding officer of the Senatorial brani'h of the first Con- gress. There are thmrn who would queRtion my eligibility to the sta- tion; but in taking the oath of office, I feel myself reRponsible not to them, but to God and my comcience. M:y private affairs in Georp:ia by thiR time had suffered much from nnavoidable neglect and innattention. It was importnnt to others as well as to myself that they should be brought to a close, nnd to effcc~ this, the Senate at Columbia granted me the necessary lenve of ab- sence. I left in the month of l\fay 1837-consumed no time but what was essential to my buRine~R, an~l returned early in the fall within the limits originally contemplated by the Senate. Thus you perceive that I came into Texas in the Summer of 1835- that I publicly and privately declared my intention to settle in the country-that I have acted np to that declaration-that I have per- formed ali the duties of a citizen-have never left the Republic but:
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