79
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
men-prompt, fierce and unyielding-but withall of a noble nature and of the loftiest sentiments of honor. There was evidently, a slight tendency in his disposition to violence and arbitrary dicta- tion, which would have rendered him less acceptable to his associates bad not these qualities been modified and controlled by a sense of justice which never faltered and a magnanimity that knew no bounds. Besides, he was gentlemanly in his deportment, .social in his habits and of undoubted integrity in all his dealings. His frankness inspired confidence; his chivalry, admiration, and his urbanity, the affections of the people. He was a popular man, and died of the cholera in 1833 on the Brazos universally lamented. Benj. R. l\Iilam, in many respects, was the antithisi'.s of his companion and compatriot. He was more retiring in his disposition, and quiet in his habits; equally firm and brave, but less impulsive and im- petuous. Both were t;rustworthy men sincere in all their profes- sions devoted in their attachments and inflexible in their purposes. Milam, though at that time a very young man, almost destitute of education, was nevertheless remarkable for good sense, sound dis- cretion and dignified sobriety; uniting in his estimable character, the modest simplicity of youth, •with the stability and efficiency of age. Between him and Austin, and their common commande;r there sprang up at once a very strong and disinterested attachment which ,continued through life. They became, indeed, devoted and insepar- able friends; united by the loftiest sentiments of our nature, and forming a noble trio which nothing but the hand of death could dissolve. On the part of. the ChieftaI_J. there was no limitation to his confidence in his new recruits, nor alloy in his affections towards them; and they, in their turn, requited his partiality with a devotion which never wavered, and a servi'se that never tired. They clung to their leade.r to the last. Through good "and thro' evil report they abided with him; participated in all his trials, difficulties and sufferings, and forsook him not in the closing scene. It was these two devoted and heroic followers that laid the cold remains of our hero in a foreign grave.- Milam and Austin, having united in the enterprise, commenced at once their active co-operation with the General; and in a short time every thing was in a state of preparation for their departure. Nothing was wa,nting but the presence of l\'Irs. Long. It will be remembered that she had gone up the river to Rodney for the purpose of leaving her daughter, Ann, with Mrs. Chesley. As yet she had not returned. The delay, however, which she occasioned, was brief. In a few days she joined her husband. The arms, ammunition and provisions being already on board of a boat, the General departed without further delay, going up the Mississippi river, and leaving his lady to sail with Milam and Austin in the "T'hree Sisters". Long was so narrowly watched that he had to smuggle his supplies out of the city with the greatest caution, and convey them to Galvezton by way of Culcasiu [Calcasieu] and the Vermillion Bay; and hence the reason ,of hi'.s proceeding up the river instead of sailing directly for Bolivar Point in the Schooner. When the "Three Sisters" was about to weigh anchor, she was
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