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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
Kentucky, who almost wept at parting with it; and that he was induced himself to become the purchaser at fourfold its value, not only on account of the vendor's embarrassed condition; but also because of its having been the property of a hero whose character he had always admired, and whose memory he still revered. "Then" -said Mrs Long-"keep it for his sake; for it was a part of his bridal present to me; and the individual who let you have it was my husband's best friend."- Bell, under the 'Circumstances, did not protract his visit to his native State. He returned te> Natchitoches; struggled awhile against adversity, and then removed to' the land of beauty and promise whose .settlement and Independence his friend was pursuing with so much ardor and devotion. As he 1 was among the first of the few individuals who emigrated into the country under the banner of our hero, and was afterwards one of the foremost of the "Old Three Hundred," who composed the Colony of Stephen F. Austin, we may have occasion, in another part of our annals, to advert to him again, and shall then be able to speak of him more at length and in a manner suitable to his merits. For the present we can only say that our acquaintance with his commenced in 1835 at the town of Colnmbia on the Brazos, where we found him in the enjoyment of health, wealth and public confidence. He had redeemed his for- tunes, served his country, and reared a numerous and interesting family. We believe that his amiable and talented widow is still (1852) residing on the same premises which they then occupied; and if our humble no.tice of her worthv husband should ever chance to meet her eye, she will please consider it, not only as a just tribute to his cherished memory; but also as a slight recognition of the kindness and civility which the writer received from all the family during his abidance un9.er their hospitable roof.- Let us now return to our hero. Disappointed in the expectations at Natchitoches, and bankrupt in fortune, General Long had to rely upon his personal friends in Natches and Alexandria for temporary assist- ance. A sum sufficient for his immediate necessities was raised in a short time; and he and his lady, accompanied by Warren D. C. Hall, set out from Alexandria some time in the month of February, for Galveston, going by the way of Calcasieu. Here the General ex- pended his money for provisions; and leaving his carriage and horses to the care of Mr Sava,yard, and old french gentleman, the party sailed with their supplies in a little Sloop for Bolivar Point. It is useless to say that they were joyfully received by the starving gar- rison The object of Mrs Long's visit to the Point, was to see the country, and determine whether she would settle in it immediately, or wait until it should become further advanced in the comforts of civilization. She was too much delighted with the pleasant cli- mate, genial airs and universal beauty that surrounded her, for her to hesitate a moment as to what she should do. She decided, upon removing at once to the fair, inviting region, and making it her future, permanent home.-Indeed she could hardly have done other- wise. Devoted as she was to her husband, and careless of all con- siderations of self, where his comfort and welfare were concerned,
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