PAPERS OF MIRA.BEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 297 Who among us does not remember Houston's peculiar expression of cold, emb-ittered malice as he piled Alp on Alp to reach the manly bosom of this distinguished statesman and friend of Texas, whose ex panded mind was the very antipodes of his weazen soul. Lamar did not long remain doubtful of his fiendish purposes; but he had no time for discussion of home intrigues; his attention was directed to the im minent danger from Mexico - now, in a measure, relieved from in• ternal commotions, had adopted a more active and sagacious policy. Her disasters in long marches through a Country barren and Sterile, had suggested the advantage of marine force in reducing her "revolted Province"; and unless Texas could, in some way, face the enemy's ships at sea, .her existence as an independent nation, could be but of short duration. How vigorously the flanks of Mexico were goaded; how well the Yucatan cause subserved our own, and diverted the meditated attack upon our almost indefensible coast. How Moore, with the Commission ers concurrence, wisely put aside the timid, but vindic[tive] orders towards himself and men, issued b y Houston, and gave fresh and glori ous illustration of Lamar's statesmanlike combinations, are facts well known in Texas. Houston, not satisfied with the wrongs and injuries done the gallant Moore, in defeating the enemies of his adopted Coun try, published and proclaimed him a defaulter of his Government. The next Congress, thereafter, caused an examination of his accounts, when upwards of $30,000 was found in his favor. Subsequent Legislatures confirmed the report. So much for Sam's veracity ! In such a blaze of success, Lamar could well afford to bear all the blame his yelling adversaries are forever reiterating for the "failure of the Santa fc expedition". How well. soever the adventure was planned, it could have no other result, when Houston's emissary was purposely insinuated among its members. Lewis well knew what would please his patron, whose return to power was the hope of every vil lian in Texas. W�n this event took place, the vial of Houston':,1 wrath burst upon the Navy. It was a moving and living record of Lamar's redeeming investment of means & energy for a well accom plished purpose; and hence his ire towards it. Illegally, but unhesit9.t ingly, the vessels wer� forthwith crippled, and made the subject of piece-meal sacrifice to the avidity of his friend, 74 on whom he "relied in all things" - and other no less despicable parasites. In regard to the credit for economy, honesty &c demanded fol- the author and hero of the Biography, it would be scarcely possible for the reader to imagine that up to the period of our Annexation, the enormous collections made upon the inh�bitants, chiefly by indirect tax ation, had produced hardly any evidence superior to what the indians might have constructed for general convenience. The great bulk of arms, stores and munitions, was gratuitously fur nif'hcd. Compensation for scrYice was made in grants of land, the possession of which was nfterwards impc<led by such fees and onerous circumstances ns rendered it a farce! The only parties who were paid were the Presi<lent and the ill1'.terafe scribblers, chatterers, and prowl ers, who formed with stately designatiom the voluminous lib-el of ad ministration, embassy, legislature and hanger-on. The gallant fellO'l!'S
11 Wm. Bryan. [Note in document]
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