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PAPERS OF Mm.A.BEAU BuoN.A.P.A.RTE LAMAR
of men, claiming to be Texian citizens, who are allied, in order to plunder and devastate indiscriminently [sic] the private prnperty of a good citizen as any in Texas, men who have served you in war and have served you in peace, and who are heart and soul devoted to the best interests of the Republic, & who would willingly die for the true glory of the nation. Such a state of things, my dear Sir, as I have witnessed here, I confess I have never witnessed before, and I was not prepared to find universal c~mfusion and alarm prevail through this afflicted region. The most valuable tract which the Republic pos- sesses, is almolst [ sic J entirely extirpated. Distress has fallen upon men, women, and children, and the whole population here is speaking seriously of abandoning the country, and abandoning it forever- The tide of emigration is checked completely, and can never begin to flow again until some-thing is done by the Government. I know, my dear Sir, the trials to which your. Administration has been subject. You have had to contend with enemies without, and enemies within the Republic; with a barbarous foreign foe, and a band of domestic conspirators against the public peace and happiness; with daring calumny, and knavish peculations; with the Jl.lexicans & the Cherokees; the Comanches profligate murder worse than Comanches. You have done every thi [n] g that could have been expected; every- th[inJg that wisdom & virtue, & untiring energy could accomplish. ln under all your troubles, you have been paralyzed by a want of money, a want of men, and peculiar domestic calamities. All these facts, we have not failed to advert to here, and we have been happy at finding that your friends, although suffering deeply, were willing to make full allowance. = You will learn, in a few days, that nothing has been yet done by the force under Cdgn Ross for the protection of the frontier. I make no imputation upon this respectable officer. I know not all the cir- cumstances by which he. has been surrounded. I do not doubt that they have been particularly embarassing. And yet it is a fact, 'that nothing has yet been done. The Camanches are hourly expected; the white Cattle Robbers are threatening a savage still more deleterious. They pray therefore, that you w·ll do something, for the protection of the region without delay. I am sure that there are particulars eon- nected with the transaction to which I have referred, which make it necessary that some man should be given authority here, whose weight of character, whose solid discretion, & Roman firmness will give full efficiency to his efforts. I know your sentiments towards Dr. Archer; I know your unlimited confidence in his valor, his wisdom, and his patriotism. His friends here, (myself among the number) have per- suaded him so warmly to accept of a commission for quieting this region, that he has consented to do so. I know you will be gratified at receivin[g] this inttelligence, and will act accordingly. =With this communication, you will receive a memorial which I beg you to read attentively, and examine with care. Whatever you do, I know will be judicious & patriotic, arid I confidently hope will result in the promotion of the happiness and true glory of this infant nation. =Forgive this hasty epistle, from one who loves and honors you, .anc;l is ready to devote both mind & body in any way to your service;
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