269
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
I left Joel at Camp in good he-aIth and determined to see the last of the war There was considerable confusion and dissatisfaction in the Army on account of the' acts of the convention and I find they have not pleased the people generally I will write you again Soon M. A. BRYAN [Rubric] I send Mr Pilgrim some papers M. A. B [Addressed:] Mr James F Perry Peach Point Politeness ·of Mr Jones
AUSTIN TO PROVISIONAL GovERNMENT 1
San Felipe de Austin Nov. 30 1835
To THE Pnov1sIONAL GovERNMENT OF TEXAS. I have the honor to report to the Provi~ional Government that in obedi- ence to the call of the Representatives of the people met in General consul- tation, appo:nting me a commissioner to procedd to the U. S. of America, I left the volunteer army that is besieging. Bexar on the 25, and arrived at this place last night and am ready to )eave the country in the station which has been assigned to me. Col. Edward Burleson was elected by the volunteers comprising the army to succeed me in the chief command. I have the satisfaction to say that the patriotism which drew together the gallant volunteers now in service be- fore Bexar and at Goliad is unabate'd. They left all the comforts and en- dearments of home to defend their constitutional rights and the Republican principles of the Federal sistem and constitution of 1824, and the vested rights of Texas under the Jaw of 7th May of that year. Their basis is the Constitution and the Federal Sistem, but should these be destroyed in Mexico and the decree of 3d of October last passed by the Central party ( a copy of which is herewith presented) be carried into effect, and a central and despotic government established where all the authority is to be con- centrated in one person or in a few persons in the City of Mexico, sustained by military and Ecclesiastical power, the volunteer army will also in that event do their duty to their country-to the cause of Liberty and them- selves, as honor, patriotism, and the first law of nature may require. That every people have the right to change their government is unques- tionable: but it is equally certain and true, that this change [to] be morally or Politically obligatory must be effected by the expression of the will of the community and .by legal and constitutional means: for otherwise the stability of the government and the rights of the people would be at the mercy of fortunate revolutionists, of violence or faction. Admitting there- for~ that a central and despotic strong government is best adapted to the 1 F.rom the office of the Secretary of ·state of Texas, Vault No. 1, Vol. 3, pp. 159-164.
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