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PLANS OF LAND SPECULATORS.
21
the general wish of the people as expressed to me.*
Also, that when 1 left in April, the general wish did
express itself for the separation from Coahuila and
the forming of Texas into a State of this confederation.
Also, that there was a determination to organize
a local government at all hazards, if no remedy
could be obtained.
I have in all my acts conformed to this public
wish of the people, so far as I was informed of it;
and when I despaired of obtaining any remedy, as I
did in the beginning of October,1 deemed it to be
my duty as an agent, to inform the people so ; and
believing as I did, that they would organize, I also
considered that it would be mu'h better to do so, by
a harmonious consultation of the Ayuntamientos,
than by a popular commotion. There were many
reasons for the recommendation given in that officio;
also, the result of the civil war was thought to be
doubtful.
I understand and I rejoice to hear it, that public
opinion has settled down on a more reasonable basis,
and that the most of the Ayuntamientos of Texas
have expressed their wish to proceed in a legal manner
to seek redress. I ought to have been informed
of this change, but I v;as not, and knew nothing of it
to a certainty, until the 5th of November, so that up
to that time I acted under the imp essions I had
when I left Texas in April. Since then I have not
moved the state question.
The past events in Texas necessarily grew out of
the revolution of Jalapa, which overturned the constitution
and produced the counter revolution of Vera
Cruz, which extended over the whole country, and
involved Texas with the rest. It is well known that
it was my wish to keep Texas, and particularly the
colony, out of all revolution, and I tried to do so,
but the flame broke out in m) absence trom Texas,
in June 1832, and since then all has been completely
disjointed. A current was set in motion by the general
extent of the civil war all over the nation, and
under the circumstances, Texas could not avoid being
agitated by it. No one can be blamed in any
manner for what has happened since June 1832, in
Texas-it was inevitable-neither was it possible for
me to avoid being drawn into the whirlpool. It was
my duty to serve the country as an agent if requested
to do so; and as an agent it was my duty to obey my
instructions as expressed to me.
I have long since informed the Ayuntamiento of
Texas, of the repeal of the law of April, and of the
favorable and friendly dirposition of the governsent,
and by this, I of course rescinded, or annulled the
recom'Anendation of 2d October, for that was predicated
on the belief that nothing would be done, and
that the result of the civil war then pending was
doubtful; since then all has changed for the better,
and public opinion in Texas bas become sound,t
and shaken off the excitement that necessarily grew
out of the past agitations.
Under these circumstances the prospects of Texas
are better than they ever have been. The national
revolution is ended, a constitutional government
* 'his " general wish" was not expressed by the great
mass of the actual settlers in the colonies. No measures
were adopted to ascertain the "u general" wishes of the
people. The sentiments thus expressed, were the clamors
of the land-speculators and aspirants to power and office,
and the urgent demands of lordly slaveholders, both resident
and transient, among them. The more sober and
orderly inhuabitants were very generally opposed to it.
I " Public opinion in Texas has become sound !"-_The
actual settlers had then more generally expressed their
,6 wishes ;" and the rebellious slaveites and marauders had
found that they had pushed ahead too soon.-The writer
himself was in a delicate and diffcult situation, and a
little prudent policy must be used to extricate him. His
conduct eventually proved hm sincere were his own
professions of attachment to Mexico.
exists, the people are obedient to the government and
laws every where. Be the same in Texas, and have
no more excitements, tolerate no more violent measures,
and you will prosper and obtain from the government,
all that reasonable men ought to ask for.
The last year has been one of calamities for
Texas-floods, pestilence, and commotions, I hope
the present year will be more favorable. I request
that ymu will have this letter published for general
information, and also the enclosed copy of th,e
answer .iven to me by his Excellency the minister of
relations. You will see by this answer the very
favorable and friendly disposition of the general
government to make a state or a territory of Texas,
and do every thing else within its constitutional
powers for the good of that country.
I .consider my agency for Texas as terminated,
but this will not prevent me from doing all I can for
the good of that country, on my own individual
responsibility.
Respectfully your most ob't sorv't.
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.
On the 10th of May, 1834, he also wrote as
follows, fiom the place of his confinement at
the seat of government. He does not admit
that he had entertained the design of transferrinz
the country to the government of the
United States. No one will suspect that he
had indulged a wish of that kind. It was his
desire to be at the head of political offairs in
'exas; and were it attached to the United
States he wotuld soon witness a rivalr.y that
must eventually blast his hopes But many
others concerned in Texas politics, did contemplate
the transfer in question; and, even
according to Austin's confessions, the better
disposed part of the inhabitants, himself in.
cluded, were dictated to, and ruled, by the
land-speculating and slave-trafficking banditti,
who had more convenient opportunities to
concentrate their efforts. The letter fri,m
which the following is extracted, was directed
to a gentleman in New Orleans."
I have been in close and solitary confinement
here until yepterday, since the 13th February. Yesterday
I was allowed to communicate with persond
outside, receive books, writing materials, visits.
so that I have no doubt I shall soon leave this place."
In order to make the reader more familiar
with the proceedings of those concerned in
this splendid project, in variouq parts of America,
I will now present a succinct, though
comprehensive view of their combined operations.
Many individuals in other countries