The Texas Republican. (Brazoria, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 1, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 5, 1834 Page: 1 of 4
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BRAZORJA SATURliA Y JULY 5-1834.
(NUMBER I.
VBEUr
i)ii
THE REPUBLICAN IS PRINTED AND-vKJBLISHED BT
wr-J ;
m aw a vauiim
wrUBks ut nnnnim
Anwin be printed for subscribers every Saturday
i u per tiuuuiu 11 paiu . uic cuu ui oia. iuuuiuo
or'$7?if not 'paid until the expiration of the year
lo discontinuances will!be allowed except at the
end of -the year and not then until all arrearages
dre'paid.
Advertisements of eight lines or under $1 for the
first insertion and half that price for each contmu
ahee longer ones in proportion No adveriisement
wll be withdrawn until paid tor but will be contin-
ued at the expense of the advertiser.
. ADDRESS
op'bs atcalob op thk jidkicipaltty op avstth to th
Attotamiemo ako the Memorial of that body to the
. Gemkxai. CoscREsa of the UsriED Mexican States.
TO THE ILLBSTIOUS
AYUJVTJJMIEJVTO
OF AUSTIN.
." Constitutionally your presiding officer and convening you
9. cbnd timelih tfiat character; I feel it my duty topresent to
-to your consideration another subject different from that
whiclympelled me to call the present meeting.
I allude to the interesting subject of a State Government for
Texas.
Situated at that point where is first received the news from the
Interior; aul to w'its tiit more cnmiiauications
arairected than to any other portion ofthe province we have
certainly an opportunity of being more correctly informed of the
political transactions of the nation than other portions ot the Co.
Iony. Our interest however is not more deep; our feelings not
jucanxitttynot greater than our other leiiowcm.
artofTexas to know what has been done at M-
icofonthis all absorbing question-I feel it mv duty freely and
frankly to communicate to you all ihe information I have recei-
Ted on the subject in hopes that through ou information may go
to other portions of the Colony; where otherwise it might not cir-
culate? And not only do I conceive it my duty to communicate 10
you the information which I may have received; but to express to
you with the fcaEPESDEX which should characterize jour pre
siding officer the sentiments I indulge ard the opinions I euter
taw onthe "subject. But the sentiments I indulge and tho opin.
ions I entertain arc but those of an individual who although the
kdfcbltstaaon&you feel a gratified delight that not in the darkes1
period of his life dfd he ever shrink from an open and clear e."
nression of his principles. On the present occasion was he to do
ao'r he would forfeit esteem for himself; he wpuld be wanting in
trust and fidelity to his country; he repeats his sentiments are in-
dividual and as an individual he publishes them; he cannot con.
ceive urwhat manner the office of alcalde gies him an exclusive
right to advise or admonish the peoplp of Texas on this all impor-
tant subject; he was elected for purposes altogether different.
The people require ofhira duties of another sort from those of mo-
XHtor nor Can he conceive on what principle the Ayuntamtento
can base a claim to the right of lecturing the people on the propri.
etyor impropriety of any great political movement? Are we -wiser
more informed more honest or more jatriotic than the balance oi
the community; that we should take upon ourselves the privilege
of advising or remonstrating with our fellow citizens on the impor-
tant point whether or not the people of Texas should organize
themselves into a State. We may depend upon it the people
have too much good sense too much independence to be influ-
enced by any thing of the sort eminating from us as a political
body they have been accustomed to think and to judge for them-
selves; and they are not to be persuaded that any inward excel-
lence.'or extraordinary infalibihty is peculiar tr same ot the
AyttBtamiento. We cannotfndude hem to believe that we as a
political bodr are more competent to judge of their wants their
richta and necessities thahtheir whole united talent. But we
' have each and every one of us the right of expressing our indi-
vidual sentimeata on this great question; and no source however
Kumbleie'to be despised from which light may be derived to
gfctde us in our onward course;
tjm& Vang ray sentiments as a member of iris body it will be
Xy ezpTaiaed to the people ofTexas why this'Ayuntamiento have
ever trottled thenaelves or the people with k manifesto on tlm
bjofitSuizing-Texas into a state of tho Mexican federation.
The project 'of Estate governmejit for Texas did not originate
with the Avuntamientba. It has sever been furthered hv them:
It erigiaatadin the apod sense of tie whole united people of Texas
whose onward course has alone been
and opposition of five of the Ayunfa
munications" "of the people's agenito carry their favorite project
into effect are to be relied upon:-For he tells us that the opposi.
tion of five Ayuntamientos of Texas to the state question weigh
ed more effectually with" the Government in hanging it up for the
present than all other opposition besides. Previous to the ad
bf .
journment of the. people's represi9mves in convention assembled
ia April last a temporary organization throughout Texas took
place by means of the appointment of a central committee at this
place and subcommittees in th(TduTerent precincts for the avow.
ed purpose of sustaining the people in the fair just and legal pro
ject of a state government. This; organization was solemnly de-
liberated upon by the convention before it took place. It was con-
aidered by no means the least important duty that the Representa
tives owed to the people; they looked upon it as necessary to the
consummationof the united purposes of the people. Tho Ayun-
tamrento3 ofTexas were not overlooked in this act of the Con-
vention; but they were excluded from becoming the organ of pub-
lic opinion at this important crisis on the grounds that the individ-
ual members composing four of the Ayuntamientos of Texas had
formally protested against the proceedings of an overwhelming
majority oftbcpcople of their respective municipalities who were
at that period represented-in thcConvcntion. These arc plain
matters of fact known to three of the members of this Ayuntami-
ento two of whom are now present and who at that time had the
honor of being members of the Convention.
The information then in relation to the state question is con-
tained in a very narrow compass. Our Constitution has been
rejected. Our application refused. We still Continue our unna-
tural connexionwith Coabuila. Our iondest hopes our most cher
ished anticipations have been blighted. Our earnest entreaties
have been disregarded. Our able our eloquent and patriotic me
morial has ocaroolv boot roif"3WiI"wo 'lintfo toon tl thit-l!ift
grievances of which we complainfind no sympathising friend in
the Government would receive no redress from the congresi of
the nation; In a word we have.bcen told that the happiness pros
perity security and safety of the people ofTexas form no part of
he policy of the government. They have arrested and now detain
our agent Stephen F. Austin on a charge that should lie against
the whole people ofTexas. They detain him because he has espou-
sed our cause and spake our sent'ments. The project of a state
government for Texas was not Austin's; It was the project of the
people. Desertion by us then of this our own cause tcouldbe worse
than political apostacy. It would be individual persecution; and hy
pocrisy to the government. Let us then speak plain to the govern
ment on this subject. Let us avow our own acts by proclaiming
the truth that the people ofTexas once harmonized in the great end
of a state government. A respectful memorial on the subject from
'.his Ayuntamiento and from the different Ayuntamentos ofTexas
to the government might be attended with great good to the citizens
and the country. As citizens of Texas and members of this bod'
let us try it.
J
3
!
the opinion that the people of this province were uiifcuiuf 1 id "
refractory and ready for revolt; and that the IetterorCol.iAus-V
un auuded to was aotooly intended for but would brinabtiat t
that rnsiilt. Tk.M...J.J.L.wi.:: .- .. .-.- '
checked by the interferance-1 Z Tnf 1" "i r.-A 1" " "j" sisPKloa m ei-.
. ptn - . J tv" j""" pjwmiuc uas ueen wo cause oi mewr - T
mientos of Texas if the com. restof their delejMsr and this AvumW.ntnu acti r?U .
I .. ?! rf 7l mb . f - v 3 .
R. M. WILLIAMSON.
TO
THE G1NEKVIa CONGWESS
OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES.
The Ayuntamiente of Austin would respectfully approach
the Congress of the nation on the subject of the imprisonment
of Stefhex F. Austin the delegate of Texas to the National
Congress asking for the erection of that province into a separate
state of the Republic. The right of approaching .the National
Congress and asking for a redress of grievances they have ev-
er been taught to consider as one of the most invaluable guarantees
nf the Constitution and any invasion of that right should be regar-
ded by all the true friends of freedom with feelings of just alarm
and .as giving cause for just complaint. Was the imprisonment
and trial of StcDhen F. Austin a matter only of individual consid-
eration this Ayuntamiento would be tba last to interfere between
him and the law. Was he arrested for an offence chargeable
only on him it would be considered by this body an act of arro-
gant indelicacy to raise the voice'bf complaint. But such is un
derstood not to be the fact. The accusation against him if we
are correctly informed is based on his letter to the Ayuntamien-
to of Bexar & bearing date the 2d day of October 1833- and
that accusation we understand to be Treason. Your memorialists
have too high an opinion of the intelligence of the Mexican Judi-
ciary to believe that any expression contained in that letter can
be tortured into any thing' like treason.. .Thai apprehend no
danger to Colonel Austin; entertaining as they do no idea that
:mv wronff has been done bv him. But your Memorialists feel
r.qtiaded that the secret and unprincipled efforts of their ene-J
mieshave succeeded inftnfusing into the councils of the nation
responsibility of their office and the sacred and solemn ohHiraJ
Uons into which they have entered gladly avail themselves oi
this opportunity of giving a public and unqualified denial to all
such charges and for themselves and the people of the jurisdic. t
tion tendering to the government "their lives their forrunes arid I"
theirscrd4icor" sustaining the constitution and Iarsoi
their adopted country. Your Memorialists are not unaware that'
many circumstances have occurred in this province to induce thn
impression abroad that we were a contentious and disorganised
pcopie ana iav we were contemplating opposition to the govern- -ment.
But they are also aware that an examination into' i
the causes which led to these occurrences will satisfy the gov-
eminent that they were not the work of design or cauatd bv any '
feeling inimical to the integrity of the Mexican Repebtfc. They
not only do not fear but they invite a minute and' rigid inquirv "
into the causes of the disturbances of Texas: and if the whnln
history of the Americans from the first settling of this colony up
to the present period is laid opeu to inspection it.will be found
that forbearance and circumspection of conduct and an earnest
desire to conciliate the Mexican authorities and prove themselves'
worthy and useful ciuxeus of ths couutry has been their rulin"
principle.
Invited by the liberality of the -Mexican Nation the citizons
of this province left their own dCurand native Republic antlset-
tied a wnaerness wnere me savage the beasts and the storm
alike contended for empire. Tuey conquered the savage and
gave him the mountains for his bounds; they suhdued !h"wiljt:r-
ness 10 the purposes of agriculture and now pcrsent to the 3K-.
ican Nation a country on the whole f ice of wiiirrh one univen.il
assurance of its future greatness and prosperity is inscribed. But
tney Drougiu aiong wun mora ineir own native notions of freedom
and independence Their republican notions of the libertv'ot
speech and action; and surely it cannot be a matter of astooisa-.
ment if after enduring every privation and overcoming vary
obstacle they beheld with republican indignation the caastitatsd
civil authorities of the country controlled by military usurpation.
A civil war raged throughout Mexico and its blighting effects ax. A
tended" to this province thc military usurped the civil authorities-
our.citizons were 'incarcerated against law and withsat trialR)
state Vut!io5-;;w provi? incompetent to ot protection and rally -inc
with one accord under the banner of Sam Anna we vinrtiVs.
ted our own wrongs& restored tho civil authorities of thecouutry.
The occurrences at Velasco Anahuac & Nacogdoches were bro't
about by the arbitrary and unconstitutional acts of the Military.
They were not the work of intrigue on our part nor brought about
by design. Necessity alone was their mother and a restoration
of law & order their good effects. The necessity however that
drove the people of this province to the expulsion of the troops"
from tins country had also placed them in a situation of fearful re.
sponsibility. The cause of Santa Anna was not only uncer.ain
but the great probability was that he could not sustain himself.
The ituation of the Mexican confederacy war Buch as to-'mak "
every patriot weep. The fondest hopes of liberty appeared to
have been blighted; and surveying the condition of the Republic
naught presented itself to view but one wide extended ocean of
blood. The constitution had been torn in a thousand fragments
scattered to all the winds of the heavens; the sun of freedom a'pj
pcared to have dawned for the last time upon unfortunate Mexico;
for her confederacy broken and destroyed had gone down bathed
in the blood of many of tho best citizens of the country. The-
fearful question was put and left unanswered Wfcat will be th-
result? What should loxas oof it was not uncertain but highT
Iv imDroliable that the government would ever again be united yn'
on the Republican Federative principle. It was mors ;probabla
that a Royal government would be the issue and necessity requi.
red that the people of this province should take some precaution."
arv stens for &uch an emergency. The most misrepresented and
exagerated accounts of- the disposition of the inhabitantsof -Te.
as towards the Mexican government had been carried to Mexieo.
We were denounced in tho public prints as rebels and it was said
an armed soldiery was contemplated to be sent against us. TJidoi " "
these circumstances all eyes were directed to a convention of the.
people and with an almost unanimous voice that convention was v
called which deputised Stephen F. Austin and sent him to Mex.
ico as the bearer of the Memorial asking that Texas be admitted
as a state of the Mexican Nation. That conventien was eomoo.
aed of individuals e'ected by the people from every part ofTexas:.
and we can safely affirm that Stephen F. Austin was commission
edas the bearer of the Memorial by aine-tenths of the people op
Texas." " T -
This Ayuntamiento is not disposed to be Ihe eulogist of Colonel5
Austin. -He opposed the people in their call of the convention''
He opposed them in asking for a state government; and he was
beaten for President of the convention purely on account of his'
known hostility to these measures He has ever recommended' ;
that all our memorials sliouia oe mrougu me meaium ot tne Ay.
untamientos. He was the most uncompromising opponent Texas
had to encounter in the call of a convention; and had his recom-
mendations been pursued the military would yet have been in
Texas. Law and order would now have been subservient to mil.j
itary ride; and the history of our grievances would never have
reached the cabinet of Mexico; but the people were not to be con
trolled and he was forced to follow in the wake. The Ayunta-
Concluded on fourth page.
41
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The Texas Republican. (Brazoria, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 1, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 5, 1834, newspaper, July 5, 1834; Brazoria, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80246/m1/1/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.