Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas Page: 33 of 372
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ENCYCLOPEDIA.
or the maintenance of Federal authority. Not one
who knows the feelings which prevailed throughout
Texas can doubt that the Union army would
have succumbed, but I repeat, that to the prudent
yet energetic action of the Commissioners, and of
their coadjutors, Texas owes it that no blood was
then shed within her borders, and that she escaped
the herrors of war which devastated her sister
-States.
With this closed the public functions. of Mr.
Maverick, which he had exercised in various` capacities
from that memorable day when he affixed
his signature to the Declaration of Independence,
and always with credit to himself and advantage
to his constituents; his public services in either
House, in conventions, or in any capacity whatever,
being rendered with a disinterestedness. and
freedom fromi all personal and party considerations;
which, I trust, will yet again be imitated in the
.legislative halls of our State.
Froin this imperfect sketch of the life of ourearth without leaving on its surface a single personal
enemy. Not that he courted popularity, for
no man ever lived more independent of the prejudices
of fashibn of the world, and many personal
peculiarities stamped him with an individuality all
his own. And if, on rare occasions' amid the turmoil
of civil commotioin'and revolutionary license,
some pigmy of a hostile press sought to cast a
stain on the record of this good man, 'twas but
the homage he paid to virtues which he could
never aspire to emulate.
It may be thought by some that lie was close
and penurious, that he loved money more than the
world deems right; but in this opinion the world,
as is often the case, was very much mistaken,those
who knew him best, his oldest and most
intimate friends, knew him to be most liberal and
most generous'when a worthy of expenditure offered.
True, he was careful and prudent in the management
of his affairs; he was frugal and unostentatious
in his habits, and he carried into practicelamented associate, it may be understo6d what his philosophic scorn of the gewgaws of fashion
-manner of man he was. In all the qualities which and of display. Years ago, when sickness and
.constitute the true gentleman .he was confessedly distress pressed hard on the poorer classes in San
preeminent. Truthful to a punctilio, no man Antonio, secretly, and as a. thief in the night," Mr.
,can say that he ever used equivocal language, and Maverick came unto the then mayor of the city,
;his sincerity was testified so by the confidence he bearing something under his cloak-that cloak
.commanded from all who knew him. And of which, among the older inhabitants, may be
ithose who enjoyed -that privilege, who is there remembered as an historical relic-drawing forth
'who does not remember and admire that cuurtesy the hidden object, Mr. Maverick, in his peculiar
,of the old school which -is fast passing away? hurried manner, begged his honor to undertake
Prudent and considerate, he never said of the the distribution among the necessitous of a thous:absent,
one word, which uttered in their presence, *and dollars, his contribution in this time of suffercould
have wounded or pained them. Modest and ing, and above' all, to say nothing of it.
retiring to a fault, he ever manifested that forget- Such was the penuriousness of this good man,
:fulness of his own comfort and convenience which "who did good by stealth, and would have blushed
:is the true test of good breeding. to find it fame." Would to God there were more
His personal bravery was as patent as the sun misers of this stamp among us!
.at noonday. In moral courage he knew no supe- I 'would suem up his character in the words of
rior. From that hour of jeopardy, when he sigined one who witnessed his first appearance at the biar
the Declaration of Independence, to the last pub- of this District Court, and who formed one of the
:lie act of his life, there was no hesitation, no wav- long procession which bore him to the tomb: "Mr.
ering, no consideration of risk to persons or Maverick's distinguishing characteristics were the
property. same through life; quiet, sedate, courteous, gentle
It has been said, and not without truth-alas and dignified; non knew him but to respect and
Jfor the perversity of human nature 1-that no nman admire him. More eminently just and dispassion,of
worth can. live without making enemies; this ate than brilliant and captivating,, mature age found
may be so, but if it be, Mr. Maverick's case fur- him a venerated exemplar of all the virtues."
nishes the exception, which, according to the old Thus have I feebly, but truthfully, sought to
.scholastic dictum, proves the rule'; for, manifold as sketch for you the life and 'character of our late
were the occasions which his vast landed posses- associate. His honored head has been laid in the
;sions and his public functions at various times grave. the place which knew him shall know him
J:furnished for collision with the interests and pas- no more for ever; but his services to Texas and
.sions of others, I verily believe he passed from his sufferings in her behalf are a part of her his
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (Book)
Biographical view of Texas and its history including narratives of the individuals who helped shape Texas history and information about important point in history including: the pioneer days of Texas, Texas' transition from a Mexican state to being part of the United States, and the wars in which Texas citizens took part.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas, book, 1880; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5827/m1/33/?rotate=270: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.