The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 25, July 1921 - April, 1922 Page: 50
306 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Government at the earliest possible date. This convention is
mighty to do mischief. My opinion is that your enemies are
actively, busily at work to undermine you. Matters that every
principle of precedent and propriety require should be carried on
through the existing government are being arranged by the Con-
vention. The reason given is that your excellency has called them
to the seat of Government and that you are absent-that the
Archives of the State Department are at Washington. A letter
dated June 30, by Mr. Donelson, to the Secretary of State, has
been furnished by him to the Convention directly. This affords
room for animadversion. The western members are silent; ob-
jections come from other parts of the country."8
A little later James L. Farquar, a member of the convention,
wrote him:
. . . I arrived at this place on the 23d instant, and I find
considerable excitement among the members of the Convention.
I am certain of one thing; that is, if you do not come, we
will get into confusion. . . . You know your duty, and I be-
lieve that it will be performed; but I write to inform you of the
excitement prevailing. Many of your old friends wish you to
come up.69
As the President did not yield to Farquar's entreaty, Van Irion
addressed him, saying:
I believe it is the intention of some members of the convention
to make an attempt to destroy and abolish the existing govern-
ment and to establish in its stead one of a provisional character.
To my surprise and astonishment, I find that some of the most
distinguished and able members of this body are inclined to favor
the measure. . . . Nothing definite as yet has been done.
. . . They have been awaiting your expected arrival to begin
operations, although whether you come or not, the attempt will
be made.70
Despite the many entreaties of his friends, President Jones,
however, refused to "visit" Austin, as he desired to show his
enemies that he "was not to be frightened.'"71 Therefore, Ochil-
tree wrote him again:
88Ochiltree to Jones, July 8, 1845. Jones, Memoranda and Official Cor-
respondence of the Republic of Texas, 477.
'"Farquar to Jones, July 25, 1845. Jones, Memoranda and Official Cor-
respondence of the Republic of Texas, 479.
7"Van Irion to Jones, July 29, 1845. Jones, Memoranda and Official
Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, 480-481.
nJones, Memoranda and Official Correspondence of the Republic of
Texas, 481.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 25, July 1921 - April, 1922, periodical, 1922; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101082/m1/56/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.