828
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Constitution. Let it represent against the laws preventing imigra- tion from other countries, request that the above be flung open to all nations at peace with the Republic. · Let it complain of the maratime tariff, a barbarous contrivance ruinous to agriculture; let it expose clearly the abuses of the military power, and above all, let it be the first to urge a separation from Coahuila and the formation of a seperate State. The character of the people of Texas is inter- prizing and decided, they scorn clangers and laugh at obstacles; therefore if Bexar wishes to be at the head of these people, it must be decided in its course, it must be Mexico-Texan. If Bexar will pronounce itself, Nacogdoches will follow, but other• wite the peoi)le of that district will do what they have done here; they will attack Colonel Piedras, and the whole population will be ui; again, and Mexico overflowed with rumors and lies about the rebellion of the colonists of Texas: All this may be avoided if Bexar follows the example given by this town and LnBahia Things have now come to ·such a pass, that lukewarm measures are ruinous, it is necessary to adopt a party, and to declare it publicly, otherwise I ai:,prehend that it would be difficult to avoid difficulties, .divisions, and local ill feeling throughout Texas. , Senor Mejia left the mouth of the Brazos for Anahuac, and may thence proceed to Nacogdoches, in which case, the people will join him in mass. All this may be avoided if Bexar and Nacogdoches pronounce themselves, and the whole of Texas unites in mass under the same banner-that of Santa Anna. I have expressed my opinion to the government of the Nation and that of the State, as·well as to General Santa Anna from Matamoras,·with a particular notice of the slanderous, unjust and Machiavellian lie, of that imaginary ghost raised by the aristocratic and designing enemies of the immi- gration of republican settlers-that the inhabitants of Texas wish to secede from Mexico. I have also declared that it is impossible to rule Texas, militarily, and .that its peace would be endangered in proportion to the increase of regular troops, above the sufficient number for the protection of the frontier from the Indians. Some friends of the liberal party, asked me at J\1onterey: ,Vhat are the Ayuntamiento and People·of Bexar about that they do not manifest to the nation, the true state of affairs in Texas~ vVhy do they not represent against article 11th of the law of April 6, 1830, which opposes so many' obstacles to emigration 1 I write to you with my accustomed candor, and with the most sincere wishes for the .pros- perity and peace of my coµntry, ·and in these terms I avail mys~lf of this occasion to give you the assurance of the respect .and cordial friendship of your fellow citizen and friend &c. STEPHEN F. .A. USTIN
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