PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 341 must say to my mind of a discourteous character. A few of the citizens of the Town met and passed several resolutions on the subject inviting the attention of the post l\Iaster Genl. to the subject urging as one of the most prominent reasons why l\fr. Stubblefield should not receive the appointment that he was not a citizen of Houston.- I am pleased to say to you that so far as I can learn that th~ number thus assembled and objecting are small indeed compared to the population of our Town.-and many of those who were dissenting from the appointment have since the arrival of l\Ir. S, expressed themselves satisfied.-- But there is still a small number who seem determined to carry their point if possible by seeking to inflame public opinion by cruel and improper representations relative to Mr. Stubblefields private character.-amongst other things he has been called on to know whether or not his commis- sion has not been pledged to raise a sum of money.-l\Ir. Stubblefield forbore under the advise of a few of his friends to take any notice of many of the insinuations and reflections thrown out agt him.-But when his private character was thus assailed he determined to write a temperate article denying the various charges agt him and asked its publication. It was retained two or three days & not published and at length returned to him with a refusal to publish.- but tendered him in great charity a proposition to insert an editorial article containing such comments as was acceptable to their own taste & doubtless most likely to accelerate their own objects- l\Ir. S. asked me to go with him to the office to request them to save themselves the trouble of his defence unless it could be made over his own proper name.-It was still urged on him to allow them to insert an article he objected.-! thought the occasion a fit one for one who had had an early oportunity of knowing l\fr. S & his whole family connections to speak.- (l\I;r. S and myself raised in four miles of each other) I remarked to the Editors & con- ductors of the only paper we now have here that I- had known :Mr S from childhood knew him & his whole family connections to be re- spectable, that I felt it due to him to them and to the community in which he was now living to state the fact.- & hoped that the in- formation would do much to put an end to a most unpleasant con- trovercy.- I stated to the parties that l\Ir. S has been told by the Clerk in the post office department that if he attem;pted to enter on the duties of his office that he woud likelv be mobed.- I was informed of this threat- & said to. l\lr. S. as I h;ve said to others, that under such circumstances I would most certainly enter upon the duties of my office.- And that I would put blood and life to hazard in resisting a procedure so unconstitutional.- I told the Gentlemen that I had ad- vised l\Ir. S to enter on his dutv & that if disturbed I would back him [with] what energy I possessed.- If we were to have mob law the s[oo]ner such spirits were met the better I understand this moring [ sic l that a number [ ?] is geting up here asking your interference in relation to this appointment.- I feel it due to l\Ir. S to state the facts above in his behalf.- in-as-much as we have no paper here through which the misrepresentations & false- hoods that may be attempted agt him, can he contradicted. I write this in great haste, please excuse inaccurcies.- & please show this to Mr. "\"\Taller whose presence here would be of great service to Mr. Stubblefield.-
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