PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
435
wander so far, I would be happy to recriprocate [sic] your generous hospitality. Your sincere friend, MIRABEAU B. LAMAR. Senores Fernando Lacayo, Sebastian :Marenco. Granada, Nicaragua.
No. 2794. EDWARD FONTAINE TO LAMAR
Hinds Co. Miss. Near J acl$on. · Octer. 24th. 1859.
Genl. MIRABEAu B. LA~fAR. M,Y DEAR FRIEND.
I am gratified to learn through the papers that you have returned safely to your home on the Brazos. Genl. McLeod & other friends in Galveston have no doubt told you that I have also retired from my post in Austin, & greatly improved my condition, by marrying and turn- ing planter. I married a Lady, who is just such an one as my best friends would have selected for me, & who suits me exactly; and al- though I would greatly prefer a home and employment in Texas, yet I am very pleasantly situated where I am. I am living upon 1500 acres of good land, & working 27 hands the individed estate of my wife and her three children. The children are a beautiful little girl 7 years old, and two little boys who are younger. They are all sprightly and affectionate, and I find no difficulty in managing them as my own, and I feel towards them as a father, and they love and reverence me as a parent. The two elder, and my youngest (Edward) recite to a young Lady whom we have employed as a governess. Henry is pur- suing his studies very well under my direction; & I hear his lessons twice a day. My wife attends to the welfare of my children as if they were her own, and the two groups of our separate offspring are com- pletely amalgamated. My attention to the plantation, which is under the management of a good overseer gives me but little trouble; and I have more leisure for reading & writing than I have had for some years past. I am often tranquilized, when small troubles disturb my mind, by the reflection that I am now entirely independent, and al- though by no means wealthy, yet if I manage my affairs with even ordinary prudence and industry, I can never suffer the want of any necessary of life, and will always possess whatever a man of my age & profession can enjoy without pain. I am at present troubled with no debts, and those which will fall due at the end of the year I shall be able to meet, and I am then determined to contract no more. This is far better than I expected a year ago, and having no avarice to stim- ulate me to exertion I cannot reasonably hope ever to be in a much better condition financially.- I preach almost every Sunday in the neighbouring Parishes, giving the people of Jackson two Sundays in the month, as the assistant of their Rector. This suits me much better than to be the Rector of a parish dependent for a support upon those who receive my services. I hope if you visit Georgia, or Washington City, or any of the Northern or Middle States you will take the Mississippi Central Rail Road, Connecting New Orleans, Jackson, & all the great Northern &
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