The Austin Papers, Vol. 2

THE AUSTIN PAPERS 939 removing from the east side of the Mississippi to Arkansas on our borders. .Also the Comanche, Tahuacana and other tribes of native Texas indians have recently become hostile and are committing depredations on the :frontiers. But [it] is unnecessary to enter into details-enough is said in the representation of Bexar by the decla- ration that there is not and never has been any adequate govt in Texas. Judging from the past, it must be considered a vain hope to look to tho State government of Coahuila and Texas for a redress of grievances, or a remedy of wrongs. We have twice beheld the mor- tifying spectacle of the corrupt mob of the Capital driving the legis- lature by force to adopt measures, unconstitutional in themselves, insulting to the inhabitants of Texas, and disregardful of their rights, The general neglect of the state Legislature of all the im- portn.nt interests and rights of Texas and their repeat~d violations of the constitution are very clearly and energetically set forth in the Bexar remonstrance of last December. There seems to be no cause to expect any favourable change towards Texas in the pol- itics of Conbuila. But even supposing there were the legislature that would suit Coabuila would be pernicious in Texas. No organi- zation can be devised under the constitution of the State of Coahuila and Texas that would suit the two extremes, separated as they are more than 400 leagues, a great part through a wilderness that cannot be passed without imminent danger from hostile indin.ns, The dis- similarity of habits occupation and language also present still greater difficulties than the distance. These difficulties are hard to recon- cile for the reason that the state constitution requires that all gen- eral laws shall be the same throughout the whole state, There cannot therefore be any organization of the judiciary for Texas materially different from that of Coahuiln. • In this state of things the committee considered themselves bound by a solemn duty to call on the people of Texas through their repre- sentatives to meet in general convention with full powers to delib- erate on the present distracted situation of our infant country and to adopt such constitutional monsures as in their wisdom they may deem necessary In exercising this highly responsible duty the com- mittee did not act unadvisedly or without the most mature delibera- tion, and they did not call this convention untill they were satisfied that a large majority of the people of Texas were in favor of apply- ing for a well orga~ized state Govt as the only remedy for existing evils. The luw of the constituent Corigress of 7 May 1824 evidently contemplates thnt Texas should form a separate State The 24 article of that Jaw is in the following words as translated" Coahuila and Texas shall also form another state, but so soon as the latter is

Powered by