322
TEXAS STATE LrnnAI!Y
No. 1516. WILLIAM R. ·S~IITH TO LA:\IAR
Mobile October 30th. l 839-
Presi<lent LA.MAR MY DR SIR:
I have remained silent until now, because ] did not suppose that circumi;tnnces could have conspired to retain me hen• at so late a date. I have only to say that duty to .Major .Mayrant's family and my own has kept me here, independant of the great danger attending the pass- ing of my family at an earlier period through New Orleans, Gal- veston nnd Houston. The life of one of the ,tlaughters of Major Mayrant was dispaired of for a long time, and she is now scarcely out of danger. :Many of the servants are down with the Fever and the yellow Fet•er is still doi11g its work around U8. Under these c:ircum- stances, and in the absence of Major iiayrant, I could not think of leaving the family. Jn fact I nm their only protector, and the only physician whose services they could command six miles Crom to,,·n, at Spring Hill. No one could have been more anxious to leave than I have been; and in the discharge of the most sacred duties your liber- ality will find my apology for not being at tbis moment at my post. Nothing short of the melancholy state of things in which we ha,·e been, and are now plnced, would ha,·e prevented my being at Austin by the sitting of Congress, and I assure you that no effort shall be !'pared by which my return may be expedited. You may calculate on my being with you certainly b_y the last of November. Should, howe,·er, you consider the public interest suffering in the least, or should my appointment militate against you, or your views hetter met by another person, do not hesitate to make the change. 1\Jy wishes & interests must not be consulted; altho, I nm desirous of the office, and shall lose no time in repairing to the Sent of Government. Dr Anderson is now acting as before; nor is it likely that Congress will make nn appropriation for the ?1-fedical Department for some time- Under these circumstances my presence can not be very necessary at Austin. Could a letter from you meet me at Houston? With the regret that I have had to trespass so much on your patience and indulgence be pleased to accept our sincerest wish for the con- tinuance of your health & happine8s. With great respect & consideration I am, My Dr Sir Your Obt Servant Wl\[ R S111ITH [Addressed:] 111 irabeau B. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas, Austin [Endorsed:] W. R. Smith Octo. 30. '39
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No. 1518. T. W. SWETE [?] TO LA)fAR
City of Houston 30 Oct 1839
Hon Excellen<'y )I B L.nrAR It was with extr<'me regret that I learned by Com. Moore that all the appointm<'nts to thP office of Purser had_ l!cen filled before 1n_v applic:ation ha,l c·ome to hand-He further mformecl me that your
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