PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 241 by ever every [sic] opportunity; until the .11 March 1834, when he embarked himself at Liverpool with upwards of an hundred souls, in the Harowine. 60 days passage from Liverpool to New orleans. From N. Orleans he sailed with 100 emigrants, in a chartered Brig - (N. 0. Packet) under the command of Capt. Ramsdale, a good sailor but an unprincipled man. On the 23rd of May 1834, the vessel was cast away (under suspicions that the Capt.· had done it intentionally) in- side of the Bar in the Bay of the Arransass. Out of the passengers in this vessel 50 or -60 died; among the number some of Power's nearest friends and relations. (One sister & nieces) Power himself was sick; he, however, made out to get to the Copano landing where he met Capt Auld at anchor with the schooner Sabine. Power gave him 400$ to go after his emigrants at the arransass & bring them to Copano land- ing; which duty he performed with dispatch, humanity· and :fidelity. Capt. Auld found many of them in great sufferance, but by his kind- ness, preserved their lives & brought them safe .to Copano. These emiā¢ grants mingled united with those who had preceded them & had come to the Colony during the absence of the Empresario. This was in the summer of 1834. He had now with him, about 120 or 40 families European Emigrants; which with his Mexican citizens made above two [hundred?] families. He now applied for a commissioner to be ap- pointed to put them in possession of their lands - Jose Jesus Vado- wrie was the Commissioner, and entered upon the duties of his office, 3rd of August 1834 at Refugio. He acted until last December; when his father died, which caused him to return to Coahuila to attend to his fathers affairs - He left with the intention of returnig; but the spirit of Revolution manifesting itself about this time, he embarked in the strifes of the period, and arrayed himself in opposition to Santana. His business in the Colony which he left unfinished, remains in that condition up to the present day - Refughio was the principal town of the business of the Colony. The Emigrants became satisfied, soon had around increasing stock They settled mostly about the Mission and up the San Antonio; and was in a flourishing condition. when . the country was invaded by Santana. This invasion laid the Colony in ruins - many perished in battle - some fled, and all were com- pelld to seek a place of more safety - so that in a short time the Colony was almost depopulated, in which condition it remains with a few exception to the present. Beginning of March 1833 - Power was taken by Lieut. Col. . Antonio de Lasantos - at live oak point. 45 troops under. Lasantos - Lasanto came there with 45 men; Powers thought they were trad- ers; & knew no better until he was made a prisoner; he was marched off immediately, but not before he told Walter Lambert, to close the house & permit no mexican Power's Colony [sic] to enter it - the young man closed the door; and had done it no soon, [sic] than another party of robbers came up, and demanded en- terance ; admittance was refused : the young man wanted to fire upon but Mrs. Power, restrained him fearing that if any of the party should be killed her husband would be murdired. The party remand there -S
Powered by FlippingBook