The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume V

T1•:X,\S ST.\TP. LrnnAnY

206

of them all, in defeating my immediate resolution. But to form some idea of the extent of this obstacle and to what extent it may operate in defeating my design of present removal, and whether, or how it is to be overcome-is the great object I have in view, in asking your kind attention to it- The chief difficulty which now presents itself to my le:wing here for 'l'exas, without some previous consultation, (to be candid and un- disguised,) is my Yerry limited pecuniary resources all([ the probable consequent embarrnssment of being in a new and strange country with- out money- without friends- 01· a speedy prospect of some honor- able employment by which to supply immediate wants. With a deficit in pecuniary resources anrl its consequences as described- to a mere adventurer, (as all such must be who are without money and without friends)- to industry and perseverance, does Texas offer an Asylum and a home- employment and a consequent protection against im- mediate and necessary wm1t~? Brfore, then, I ran make Texas a home, and before I can carry out this long cherished idea- I repeat, that my only wish is to ascertain if there is an immediate prospect in Texas, of finding honorable cmploymeut to supply immediate necessitirs? My legitimate profession is that of the Law, hut like nil new countries, it seems, that Texas, too, has more perhaps than her present wa11ts- hesides which, I could not without my prospects were ,·er-ry 1-tatrering and immediately so, maintain the preparatory expense to success in the profession. I abandon this then for the present. If, however, [ cnn find out other channels of present employment- a residence and acquaintance with the country and its people- might afterwards pre- sent to me interests which, no doubt, would direct my efforts to a probable cornmmation of one of my wishes at least- l mean a suit- able provision for the future- a moclerate but independent income- 'fhis, if not the soonest cherished, is to say the least of it; the longest and the latest. 'fhis is not parsimony in me, but a conYiction, that to he frer & independent, the mind must be so too- the body is alrea1ly so 1,y constitutional right. I am anxious then to begin the world, as it were, in a 11ew one that I may see my prospects brighten, or darken, ,rhile young-that a maturer age may be mine to check its errors and amend the future from the past. Jt is to you then, Sir, I appeal for that information, touching a matter of so much importance to myself, which I cannot get from any other source. A conviction in the clearness of your head, and the sound- ness of your heart, aclded to which, a short acquaintance with you while at Dr. Garrett's in )fontgomery (Ala) first induced me to rely on your friendly assistance. J[y speedy change of residence is of paramount importance to me, and 1 hope, Dear Sir, that my apparent and hasty zeal will be my excuse, If I request a full and frank reply, ancl a speedy one, to what may be to you only teasing intcrogatories. As this is unofficial, I beg you will accept the apologil's it requires of me, for in that case I have need of them. I will lin\'e to rl'mnin here> for ;:ome time to come, and will prefer heiug adclre~sed l!l'n•. \°1>11I' rc>ply will guide me for for [.sic] the futni·e as to the :-ul,jel't of 111.,· )Ptter. . . . . . Yuu r Elcdio11 to t h1· pre;;l'11dr11c_r has g1\'en umversal satisfaction

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