P.\PlmS OF )[1r..,nr-:.\l· Bt'O:>;.\!'.\lt'l'E LA)fAn
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hccn successful i11 addin~ to his family, a1tho' very successful also as ~urnal unpopular ,rith the Har. Sinre I sa\\' you I have been thrown mto almost every coudition of Life compatible with my genius & cir- cumstall~l'8 A propcrn;ity to extrarngant acl\'enlure has e,·cr tended to oppn•:c-s me and still I remain only an expectant beneficiary of circum- slirnrcs. I cou"ld at au_r time have secured a competency had I been c:ontc11t with gradual prosperity but when fortune is apparently within my grasp the reality rnni,.:hes and a new project is put in requisition. Thus I ha,·c hcen pretty much unsucccs,.:ful since I saw you. For the Ja,.:t four .wars howc,·cr L have been bringing myself to the conclusion that it is proper to :;;ettlc myself pernrnnently and to eschew hencc- fonrn r<l any de:c-pc>rnt1! or hazardous undertaking I therefore write to yon that f han! long been anxious to make Texas my home well know- ing that it hol<ls forth many iuducemeuts to one of my capacity cir- cumsta11ccs & disposition. l shall not he incumbered with a family ha\'ing nevc>r married. For the last five years I harn sun·e_yed more of the public Lands in this State than any other indiYidual during that time; and during the intcn·als of my several surveying tours I have heeu engaged as Clerk in the 8urve_yor Generals office. I might ere this have secured the eommcncernent of a fortune from the advan- tagcs of an exteusiYe knowledge of the public Lands but for the Specie Circular which of a smlden prostrated a Scheme of Speculation in pros- pectu of tmquestiouablc Success. In consequence of this defeat I !\Ill now as before pur:-:ui11g any avocation that presents itself in the Sphere of m_y capability. I am now employed by Capt R. D. C. Collins U. S. A. in his duties as Di,.:l,ursing agent at $cl or 5 pr diem to continue so long as I 11esire. .\ly disposition howeYer is to embark in land Spec- ulation, and if possible so to manage it in the first instance as to obtain an extensi,·e knowledge of the Country. The Unappropriated lands here afford no chance now for Speculation even were I possessed of the facilities of investment as I had been immediately before the proclamation of the Specie Circular; Besi11es the imigration hither is retarded by the flattering inducement:; in Texns. Now if I can ascer- tain whether l might :;tand a fair rhance in Texas for the omce of 8un·eyor General in Some 1livision (for I apprehend you will have two or three) I would certainly apply for that appointment. There is no duty which I feel more competent to perform none more con-- geneal with my talents or prospectively more favourable in the result. Will you have the goodness to write me immediately on this par- ticular- Any recommendations that this State affords including Gov- ernor Surveyor General judges or legislators shall be furnished ns lo competency business habits and peculiar fitness for such a Station. Address me at this place & if nt leisure be pleased to write somewhat in detail respecting your local regulations & national prospects. With: sentiments of the highest consideration & respect Your ol<I friend JOHN" E. GnAH,Ul r Addressed:] }[irnbeau B. Lamar President of the Republic of TEXAS: Houston. [Endorsed: l J . E Graham Little Rock Gth. Oct 18:38
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