By the way, I am a little too fast and must return lo your official i11 relation to Mr. Stansberry. There is Something officious about it that would pass \'ery well as between You. and me, considering you arc no dyspeptic, bul which renders it somewhat disagreeable where it is to be submitted to the Cabinet. 1 allude to the foIJowing sentences "Do you suppose for a moment Sir that I would interfere in a matter of the Sort: to Lhe detriment of the Service? Strange idea indeed: I thought you knew me better" &c. I prithee, good Sir, thal I made no suppositions about the matters. I was told certain things and simply expressed to you my views as to those things, and I am willing to Say lo aIJ Texas that I believe enlistments for three months arr: a great deal worse than useless. I thank you for your intimations in regard to excitements &c. When I consented to be a candidate before the Convention I was aware that excitements would arise in this very excitable country and that my name would not escape the obloquy that was inevitably in reserve for Somebody. I chose to Suffer myself to be put in the way of it and I should be exercising only an ordinary Share of fortitude to bear it wilh patience. My first concern is and Shall be to preserve a conscience void of offence. My Second lo Serve my Country to the best of my abilities and my third, to bear with patience the temporary abuses of the vile and vicious I care nothing about. To profess an indifferenee lo the opinions of decent men, is entirely beyond my philosophy-but as to the wicked and the abominable I do hold them in Soveriegn contempt. I regret very much that the Laura was diverted from her return to this place for we are very destitute. I hope you will soon Send us relief. I beg You will learn to Spell my name. Burnet not -nett. I think you are a dull Scholar, for you have Seen it Spelt often enough to have learned Lhe orthography of it hy this time.
in haste Yours truly David G. Burnet
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