1058
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
do-great good has resulted to Texas from my labors, and the noise which this business has made-all the evils complained of have been removed, my conscience is clear, I have discharged my duty faith- fully, and for having done so I have suffered five months inprison- ment-Three of them in close and solitary confinement locked up in a dungeon day and night, the reflection that Texas would be benefited by my sufferings kept up my spirits and I have borne it all with patience and fortitude, I have understood indirectly from common rumor that those people in whose service I am suffering and have sacrifised so much time and money and fatigue are now cal- umniating me and rejoicing in my misfortunes, I do not believe this report-a few may do so, but not the mass-not •the farmers- the honest and sound part of the community-they have always been correct sound and honest in their feelings intensions, and principles, and I have no doubt that all their sympathies are in my favor I will not calumniate them even in my thoughts by believing otherwise. In my letter of the 17th January from Monterrey, I requested them not to suffer themselves to be excited on act. of my imprisonment. I did this to serve them, for all kinds of excitements in Texas are injurious to the farming and laboring classes and to the improve- ment of that country. They complied with my request and I thank them for having done so. I also requested them to be obedient to the state of Coahuila and Texas-they have been so, and for this I also thank them-God knows when I shall be at liberty-I hope soon-a mild and respectful representation of facts from the Ayun- tamientos of Texas stating the situation of that country and of public opinion when I left them 1n April last year, as agent, the position above stated taken by those people which it was my duty as their agent to sustain, and my general character, conduct and services in favor of good order, of the integrity of the mexican terri- tory and of the welfare and improvement of my adopted country, such a representation especialy from Bexar would open my dungeon at any time and would do it now. But perhaps this is to much to be done for S. F. Austin, I did not think that I was doing too much for those people when I risked everything for them. I understand that the main cha·rge against me is an attempt to separate Texas from the mexictm Republic, this charge is false as all Texas can testify, however I do not know what the charge is for up to this day no copy of charges or accusation of any kind has been furnished-neither do I know whether I am to be judged by a. military or civil tribunal when informed of the charges against me (and God knows when that will [be] perhaps many months hence) it may be necessary for me to send to Texas for evidence, so that I may linger away years here-the Ayuntamientos of Texas might have saved me all this, I did ·not a~k it but I confess that I ex-
Powered by FlippingBook