P.\1'1-;ns OF UmABEAU Buo~APARTE LAYAR
409
a slight sketch of his character. He is now in his 25th year "in ap- peara11ce a Soldier" (as General Gaines was pleased to say;) he has been gay, thoughtless and extravagant, impatient of controul, (save through the avenues of afl'ec:tion and tenderness) devoted to pleasure at the expe11se of business or any employment whatever; with the ex- ception of two or three voyages to India as a passenger with funds sutti<-ie11t to provide for himself and the recipients o.f his liberality: he is noble, ge11erous, and unsuspicious, and of course a fit object of pursuit for the thoughtless and gay young gentlemen that infest our large cities. His courage, never I believe, has been doubted; having possessed a valiant and fearless daring from his earliest boyhood, and an intrepidity as a horseman beyond his years. He has borne the palm in the field from experienced sportsmen, and is considered what is termed a "good i,hot" to which many can testify. He is entirely un- acquainted with the martial discipline of a field officer, but I consider the qualifications just named, as a forerunner to future improvement. His dii,position is amiable and excellent. I trust Sir, the interest I feel relative to his future life will plead my excuse for thus explicitly urgi11g upon your notice his faults, and his virt'Ues; they are open for your consideration, and disposal. Should the station to which, (through your influe11ce he may obtain) require any display of literary talent, freedom of the pen, or correspondence with scientific officers, thea I fear my Charles would find himself deficient; but with his quicJ...-uess of perception, and a little application, this defect might soon be reme- died. Of this he is perfectly sensible: but as a soldier or a nav~l officer, I hope he would neither tarnish the name, nor honor of his profession. I shall feel highly honoured by a reply as early as may suit your convenience: and should you advocate my cause, it will prove an assur- ance to me, that I am pardoned for intruding myself upon your patron- age and notice I am Sir, very respectfully, your obdt servant, ANNA ].-LI.nu KINTZINO. P. S. Please direct, Care of my brother Charles Macalester Esqr, Philadelphia. . . [Endorsed:] Mrs. A M Kintzing.Feby 14, 18-!0
No. 1724. CORNELIUS VAN NESS TO LAUAR
San Antonio. 15th Feby 18,lO
Gen LAMAR- DEAR Srn- If you have not yet appointed a person to run the North Western line of Travis County as provided for at the late session of Congress, I beg leave to recommend to your favorable notice John C Hays of this City. He is a gentleman of the purest character & of much abilit_y & energy. :fl e is by profession a Surveyor, nncl hns been employed as such in this County for the two last yenrs, & hns iihe\\11 himself fully competent to nny work in his line-- I do not think _rou could select an individual who could or would accomplish the work as
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