The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume IV, part 2

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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

possession of Amelia island. They did so in December, 1817, and in February, Aury and his men, not liking this joint occupancy, left and went to Charleston, where he was arrested at the instance of the Span­ ish Consul. It was decided, however, that he had committed no offence against the United States, and he was discharged. Lafitte afterwards located on the coast of Yucatan, at the island of Mugueres, where he died, according to traveler Stevens; leaving a widow and a hecatomb of turtle shells to honor his memory. "·e shall have more to say about them, one of ther-e clays, as there are those among us who knew him. Whatever were his crimes, he was not nat­ urally cruel; and, although a native of France, he was the uniform and fast friend of the Americans. It is well known that in 1814, he refused the most tempting offers of the British, to induce him to take part against the Americans, although the latter had "set a price on bis head." With his men he volunteered to serve under Gen. Jack­ son, and, "they rendered eminent services to the Republic; distinguish­ ing themselves particularly at the battle of N. Orleans." "A corsair's name he left to other times, Linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes." No. 2498 [1855?, M. B. LAMAR, RICHMOND? TEXAS] "THE FORCE OF THE TEXANS ON THE COLORADO" IN THE SAN JACINTO CAMPAIGN. 98 The force of the Texans on the Colorado Turner says the morning report was 1464 and soon after was joined by Roman & Fishers Company at the five mile that night and made the number 1568 ,\.nson Jones, says that he assisted Adjutant Jno. Wharton in making his morning report the clay they commenced the retreat, and the num­ \>er 1570- W J. E. Heard - on the Colorado, states the number to be about 1500 to 1600 - according as Col. Forbes told him who issued that may rations that day. Benj. Smith being called before a committee of Congress in 1840 (if I mistake not) testified on oath that he as acting Quarter Master Adjutant numbered the army to be 1360 - This did not include Sherman's command - This question being put to Smith - What were the number of men in the army of Texas under the Comd. of . Genl. Sam Routon at the time of the retreat from the Colorado and what was the disposition of the men for battle," - Answered "the number of men mustered in the army under Genl. Houston at the

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