528
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
pulsions of bad men ordered by me, have been made, solely on my • own individual responsibility, without the powerful support ~f 11. special recommendation to do so, from municipal representatives of the people. The situation of this country on the borders of a foreign nation certainly exposes it to impositions by criminal fugitives and vaga- bonds, who are nuisances in all countries, but more especially so in a new and thinly settled one like this. The first settlers who have devoted years of hardship to bring it forward, justly deserve and have a right to expect protection from such nuisances. The Government has offered the most liberal inducements to honest emigrants, but nothing to fugitives or vagabonds, and it expects and commands that no such shall be admitted. It is therefore due to the people who are permanently settled-to the law-and to the government, that the 5th article of my contract, and the 122nd article of law No. 37 which I have quoted, should be rigidly exe- cuted; always, however keeping in view what is clue to justice and to humanity. The measures which I have heretofore deemed it my duty to adopt on this subject, have been promptly executed by the militia officers charged therewith, and they have been sustained by public opinion, which in this colony has always been on the side of good order, and opposed to the admission of bad men. But notwith- standing this, it is with great satisfaction, that I find the Ayunta- miento co-operating by the weight of its authority and influence, in a measure which might be construed by the designing, or the ever- scrupulous, into an act of oppression, or as being too strong for mistaken ideas of liberty. I have therefore to assure that corpora- tion, that the removal of Peter vVhetstone, Trammel Pryor, John or Jack House, and Brooks "Williams, which is recommended by it, shall be immediately ordered; and_that the course will be adopted which is indicated, with respect to the other individuals named in said resolutions. I embrace this opportunity to present to that illustrious corpom- tion the assurances of my consideration and respect; and of my hearty co-operation in all measures which are calculated to promote
the public good, and to inforce the laws. San Felipe de Austin, Nov. 5th 1830.
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.
MIGUEL AncINIEGA TO JUAN VrcEN'l'E CAMPOS
La. Bahia de san Bernardo en las costus cle este departto fue habili- tada. por cedula del rey de Espana que existe en el Ai·chibo de Gov 110 del mismo el aiio de 1805 con diferentes objetos, y princi-
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