THE AUSTIN PAPERS 383 Urn year 1821. That I have succeeded fully in redeeming a con- siderable portion of this country from the State of nature overrun with savages in which I found it, and that I have laid a foundation for the permanent advancement and prosperity·of Texas by render- ing it easy to form new settlements in consequence of the resources which may be drawn from my colony-Perhaps it may be necessary for me to declare that my objects in coming to Texas were pure, that I have never had any others, and that my maxim always has been and now is fidelity and gratitude to Mexico. There appears to be something humiliating in the idea that there should ever seem to be any necessity for such a clecln.ration as this on my part, for I hoped that my conduct and deportment ever since I entered Texas, as well as the conduct of the settlers in my colony would have been sufficient to screen us from suspicion or jealousies, I know not how- ever whether it has been sufficient or not, for I have seen the l\fexican prints filled ,vith reflections, which indicate but little confidence in the new settlers. Such reflections are unjust and unmerited-they are also impolitic, for they are well calculated to create discontent nnd disgust where it never has existed. The true policy of this Gvt. evidently is to make Texas a usefull and p1·oduct-ive part of the nation to which it belongs- un<ler this idea and with this object in view I have been laboring for eight yea1;s past. It has been a prominent point of policy with me in managing the new settle:i;s and in forming their ideas and opinions as to the future, to impress upon them the belief that it is more to their interest to remain for ever United to Mexico, than: to any other nation on earth-it would be occupying too mHch of your time to state the arguments which I have used to in- force this opinion and will therefore only say that they were fully successful, and I do most positively assert the fact that all the re- flecting part of the settlers would oppose a change could they have hope of seeing the govt settled on a basis which offercl permanency and tranquility; Mankind are generally influenced by their interests, and it requires but a superficial examination to prove that the com- mercial and agricultural interests of Texas, will be more effectually promoted by remaining under this Gvt than under any other- besides this all powerfull ligament there is another, which I c:.m with equal certainty declare is in the highest degree binding in these settlers, which_is gratitude, a sence of the moral obligations which their oaths impose upon them as men of honor and as christians- They became Mexicans from choice they have been faithfull to this Govt since they entered its territory, they wish to remain l\1exicans, and it is their interests as well as their duty to remain-under this view of the subject is it good policy to sour their minds and alienate their affections i
Powered by FlippingBook