assure you from in inattention to your request, or indifference to that which in any way concerns you, but rather from our disorganized, unsettled, condition, along with a desire to observe the current of things, and if possible get to the leeside of the political breathings of our Soldiers turned politicians. I found on my arrival in Camp an anxious, feverish, disturbing, excitement, arising from various causes. All however soon became merged in the all-absorbing question of "who should be the President & Vice- president." Austin, Smith, and Archer had already been announced and their respective claims freely, and unreservedly, discussed by the soldiers. It required no scrutiny to know who would receive the support of the Army. In speaking of Austin they did not mince their words, or speak by Carel, but cryed aloud and spared not - reviling him for the many abuses of privcleges which he has enjoyed in Colonizing Texas - and desparaging him for want of the high qualifications necessary for so exalted a station at such a crisis. I was not a little astonished at this. Smith was certainly much more in favour. They believed him more capable, and decidedly favour- able to the adjustment of the agitating land questions upon fair and equitable grounds. They urged however that he was hot-tempered, and rash, as was clearly evinced in his intemperate message to the Legislature. This would have lost him some strength. But had he not withdrawn the most acceptable Ticket would have been "Smith & Lamar," as it has been "Houston & Lamar." I was present & assisted in conducting an election amongst the Regulars at a seperate Encampment On Gaseat, and out of the 99 votes polled you did not loose one; and the general vote I understand has been quite as satisfactory. I was well assured so far as I could learn men's opinions from their words, that your name would be perfectly acceptable to the Army. A few mortified, discontented, spirits, (MiUard for example) and men of like calibre, have made puny efforts to run some one in opposition to your name: selecting for that purpose a Major Montgomery. The arrangement was made, The horn was sounded - The horse was upon the field; when some sajacious than the rest upon a close out-door inspection finding him in "bad keeping" suggested that he be ungirthed; and finally after much delay parlance amongst the jockies; the covering is thrown over and the creature is withdrawn. Impressing his marwjers; with the wholesome admonition - that the fear of competition is much more sufferablc, than absolute, unqualified defeat. The only brea!h of disapprobation of you or your course, since you participation 111 the public affairs of this country comes from those who profes~to believe (your positive disclaimer to the contrary notwithstandmg)
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