904
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
The question proposed is th~ true question which unavoidably re- sults from your communicatjon. The communication from the Po- litical Chief a.nd copies of law there with inclosed is conclusive evidence (if evidence is necessary to prove that 2, and 2, make 4) that by yealding obediance -to the law we must disobey the resolu- tions of the convention where they contravene the law, and if they injoin no more than the law had preveously provided for, then they are wholly useless- You say the basis you go upon "is that the good sense of the people will make them do right " and again "give thein a little time and they will do right." and I go on the same basis nearly, but reather a little further. •I would say if it were neces- sary that "the people" have done no ·wrong, that they need not that little time as you have suggested, to make them do right. but that the errors · (if any) has been commited by their Delegates in the San Felipe convention, and now to cover their retreat from an untenable position you would advise me and the people of Trinity to commit ourselves, to lessen the responsibility of our delegates, and in order to opperate .on our fears we are told the people will not submit to "Di-rect opposition" that it "excites them" ·and that an excited p·eople like an excited individual a're dange1·ous-This, it must be confessed is strano-e lan<Yuao-e to come from a !?entleman e b b ~ so prudent, and so sincere, as· I have heretofore found you, and so fond of social intercourse and perfect union-but if it is intended for any thing more than a Bugbear, as I really understand it, I shall rely upon the "good sense of the people" as you have it, no doubt purely, ad captandem Vulgus, yet as it is a precious coin from your own Mint you will surely allow me to give it circulation, But who is it that ·has directly contradicted the will of the people and thereby incurred the danger you anticipate, If you allude to me, you are very much mistaken, for the people of this jurisdiction to whom I consider myself responsible· for my official acts. perfectly concur with ·me in opinion, (To wit) to perform any act either judicial; or extra-judicial in organizing the :Militia according to the new System is deemed to be an infringement of the law of the state. and the fact that the Political Chief, has by a special mandate inter- dicted the whole of the ·proceeding of that convention as being unauthorised, illegal, and an- attempt against the .Sovreignty of State, is ipso facto, sufficient to prevent •us from recognizing the proceeding of that convention as having any Vallidety or binding force- True it is, that the people of Trinity in conformity to the o~- ci~l communication from the Alcaldes of your jurisdiction, did cooperate in the formation of· the convention, But our delegates, while in .convention, exercised a power that was never delegated
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