THE AUSTIN PAPERS 1083 after the expiration of the 30 days. Men of judgment can easily decide, I think, by examing these constitutional points whether tl1e President, or Congress were in error. I fear these things have not been understood in Texas, and that the peoj)le have been excited to tnke p~rt against the President. vVhat they ought to have done, snd ought to do in future, is to take no part at all in such matters and to presen'e a dead silence. Neither yea nor nay: pro nor con. Stick to the CONSTITUTION and close their eyes and ears against all kinds of Pln.ns, nnd Pronunciamentos, and against all inftam~ tory advice, from all quarters. _ Santana is friendly to Texas and to me. :My personal friends have cause to be gratefnl to him. I know not how you are all get- ting along in Texas. It is a long time since I have heard from there except indirectly, or by rumors which now and then reach my prison. I have no letters since 15 April-I rec 4 one from you and Emily dated in March. I do not know who are Alcaldes anywhere in Texas-I hear that all is pence and contentment which is the only consolation I have recd to soothe my imprisonment. . Amongst those who have befriended me in my misfortunes I hope that my family and personal friends will never forget Don Victor Blanco, and his brother in Law Don Ramon :Musquiz of Bexar. I sent you duplicate powers of attorney to sell any of my prop- erty, and attend to my affairs. I rely on you and S. M. Williams to save my property from the wreck that seems to have been intended for me. I hope you have kept up the Chocolate bayou stock -farm and have one hundred cows there by this time at least. Should I ever retmn I will make your house my home, untill I can build a house and improve a farm. I will never again take any p~rt :vhatever in public matters of any kind. On this point my mmd 1s fixed. - Remember me very particularly to H. Austin, send him this letter, also show it to J. H. Bell, to Capt. Wiley :Martin, D. G. Burnett nnd such other of my friends as you think proper. I wish them to know my opinions on these matters, and I wish them and all Texas to adopt and firmly adhere to the motto and rnle I have st ated in this letter. I lrnve been led into so much difficulty and Texas has been so much jeopardised in its true and permunent inter- e st s, by inflamatory men, by political fanatics, political adventurers, would-be-great-men vain talkers, and visionary fools, that I begin to loose confidence in all persons except those who seek their living ~e~ween the ploughhan[dles]. Show this letter to S. M. Williams-- It is strange, but it seems that I am blamed for all he says, or writes. or does. He ought to have nothing more to do with politics or
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