PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPAHTE LAMAR 309 tains my general views on the great issues now pending before the country. I am sure you will not do me the injustice to imagine for a mome;nt, that my request was prompted by a puerile vanity to "shew off" in a mere matter of composition- If I ever had my little vanities, the day has long since passed I trust for their exhibition, especially in news paper articles. It is true, that I have writte.q much for the newspapers, and always with the view of doing good, which it has 11ot unfrequently subjected me to fierce and angry contests which are wholly uncongenial to my Nature and my temperament. I had almost re- solved never again to raise my voice, nor wield my pen on political affairs-but being compelled to witness the daily Treason of the dis- affected Southern Press-the imminent peril to our institutions from this cause-and having a lively recollection of the Ancient foe against whose machinations we both combatted; and who has again reared his head, (I mean Federalism) I have been almost insensibly driven from my purpose, and without much thought, method, or order of arrange- ment, threw together the article now enclosed to you. My main object in wishing you to read the article is to shew you the continued coin- cidence of our views on public affairs- l\Iay we always work together for our Countrys honour and glory ! Our destinies have been differ- ent-Yours on the active theatre of Political and l\Iilitary life ! in both of which your friend can take the liberty of asserting, your measure of honours and distinction is full, and enough to satisfy the proudest ambition, while my life has been one of obscurity-continued toil-and for the greater part of it, of poverty-at times vergeing on destitution. Yet, I have had the proud satisfaction, at all periods of my humble career, to have had associates and bosom friends, worthy of the proudest associations-among whom, yourself, and your ever to be lamented, pure and noble brother, held a place nearest my heart. Indeed, my dear Sir-there was a friend that to me seemed "closer than a brother"- I never loved a man but once-and that man was Lucius Lamar. In him I had so completely "garnered up my heart" that there was at his death a vacuum created in my hopes and aspi- rations which time has not filled- The world, to me, has not been the same, since that melancholly Event: and even now, the calling his name sends a thrill thro my affections which frequently can only be relieved by tears- a weakness of my nature-but only shed for him whom I had set up in my fancy as the beau ideal of all that was pure, noble and majestic in man. Excuse my reference to that page in our history which can now bring no solace to our bosoms: Yet I can not but remember and cherish the memory of him, whom above all others I loved and admired while in life. Let us dispel this sadness. In our casual interview the other day I was not entirely satisfied with a determination you seemed to have formed, "Not to concern yourself with public affairs"-nor fret about matters that you could not control. I am sure you will believe me when I declare that I would not knowingly mar your happiness-but if you could so far change your views as to appear before a Mobile Audience in this hour of trial, I know the many friends you have here would welcome you to the City-and appreciate your views upon the great Southern Ques- tion. The subject has been agitated in the streets, and I should be
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