THt At1ST1N PAPERS 763 are in favor of the colonists but they fear the settlers will ruin themselves by their imprudence. If they are unjustly oppressed and can so make it appear the majority·of the whole nation will be in their favor, but if the reverse of this is the case, and they fly mto a fit of passion for slight causes the whole nation will be against them. The advice I have 1·ecd. from a high source is, as follows- "Har- monize as much as possible with the military-give no cause for disgust-be calm and never shew any passion-never use threats or harsh language. The Alcalde or Ayuntamto. ought to keep an exact and detailed account of all the oppressive acts of the military er revenue officers and report the same to the Chief of Department. .Any one who is illtreated by a military or revenue officer ought·to exhibit proof of the same to the Alcalde who ought to report it immediately to the Chief of Department. No violence must be used on any pretext-no imprudent talking etc." Better advice could not have been given and if properly followed will produce favourable results. Do try and iinpress this on every- one, and especially on those in: Brazoria who are rather warmer than they ought to be, tho perhaps not much more so than rigid justice requires. • Some men in the world hold the doctrine that it is degrading and corrupt to use policy in anything. 'Without saying whether I ap- prove of this doctrine or. not, I do say that there is no degradation in·prudence and a well tempered and well timed moderation. The absolute freedom of speech that is used in the U. S. of the North is unlmown in this country and hence it is not properly understood, and for t.hii-; reason ju8t c·om7-,/aints when made in harsh lang11a~e are construed into rebellion etc. etc. As a general rule all over the world Language and Acts, must be regulated in a great degree by c,ircumstances and cltaracters. • Gen 1 Teran has evidently been deceived very much by the arts und management of Fisher but he will soon be convinced of that, if he is not already, and all will end right. Some amendments to the colonization law are proposed-they are not very unfavourable-the quantity of land is proposed to be re- duced to half a Sitio for those who exhibit proof that they have at least 100 head of Ganado Mayor-those who have not that quantity are only to get one labor-the price is proposed to be inc1·eased ·a little etc. I doubt whether anything will be done with it this ses- ~ion. •The members do not harmonize amongst themselves. The prospect is good that notliing will be done by this Legislature except the retail law. • I presume that Ugartachea is in Brazoria-remember me to him- his sister Mrs. Ibarra is in good health and all the family.
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