PAPERS OF JilIRABE.\U BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 181 these duties devolve upon me as an officer, that my own conscience is my ·monitor, and whatever I may conscientiously consider· to be my constitutional duty, however arduous the task, shall be performed to best of my abilities, no matter how violent, detracting, or clamorous may be the opposition. I endeavor to hold myself divested of all manner of party prejudices, or feeling-ever willing to receive advice, or information from my fellow-citizens, · if reasonably founded and properly given-with a mind unbiassed and free-ever willing to hear, and assign good reasons £or every political move-but in the discharge of what I conceive to be my official duties, ever micompromising and indefatigable. I well know that I ba.ve prejudices to contend with, that are in themselves as unjust as they are vindictive and violent-that my acts are viewed through a false medium-and that Sisyphus-like, I am doomed to roll the evei; revolving stone. I know that my way is rugged and up hill, thick set with snares, and pitts on every side: but as these are the natural ills attendant on human life, I have no right to expect my lot to be cast in.places more pleasant than those who have preceded me. Snch things, then, -a1·e not cal- culated to create in me a similar uncharitable spirit; well know- ing that we all have to account to the scrutinies of conscience, our country and our God. If the official which I have issued has any thing in it treasonable, (as some are· pleased to call it treason . and nothing less) or in any way calculated to bring about revolu- tion, or disorder, contrary to the constitution or true interests of the country; let my fellow-citizens recollect, that this is in itself the highest crime known to the law, and rendered still aggravated by the situation which I ocl'.upy. (it being the highc&t office that au adopted citizen can hold under the constitution;) that I am directly accountable to the Executive for all of my official acts. In the name of God then I if I have been guilty of so high a crime, why not take the proper course to have such a flagrant offence punished in _a proper and lawful manned I hold myself ever accountable to the constitution and laws of my country! Let me be reported then, to the Executive to whom alone I am .directly ~ccountable; and let not my opponents be guilty of insurrection by pretending to put it down. The Central Committee tells you, that the constitution and law still exist; although they admit that the Executive and Legislative departments are destro:ved, and the judiciary department of course entirely deranged; and still they tell you, that government exists and flows in its legitimate channels. Can .Government exist when the head is decapitated and the limbs lopped ofl'1 If this political doctrine be true as to a government, it would be equally true as to individuals; and when thus applied becomes at once absnrd. · Inasmuch as the official which I put in circulation, (in which I informed my fellow-citizens, that I had merely given them the outline of my views) seems to have been misunderstood, and from · varioits causes much misrepresented; I feel it a duty which I owe, not only to myself, but to my fellow-citizens who have been thus mi-stakeu or misled; to give them a fair expose of what I then in-
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