274.
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
<;>f the subsequent measures have the same tendency. The manner in which Govr· Viesca and Col Gonzales have been recd- will also have its effect. The organization of a local Govt. without a clear and positive declaration that it w:as done as a member of the Mexican confederation under the constitution 9f 1824 and law of 7 July of that year will be represented by our enemies to mean a different thing from what was intended. In short the impression has gone abroad t,hat independence is the object and the only object o( Texas- This being the case there is at least some probability that the Texas '\_Var will assume the character which the govt. of Mexico are endeavoring to give it, and that all parties will unite against us- Under this view of the subject, it is evident that the most prompt and efficient measures must be adopted to prepare for the approaching storm either by the most close and perfect and unequivocal union and c~opera- tion with the remnants of the federal party which was the true position and fo my opinion the one that should have been taken without ambiguity by the conn· or by a direct declaration of independence- Can either of these two positions be taken without a resort to the people _by the election of a convention where the representation will be equal. At the former elections the people of Texas did not and could not fully under- stand their true situation, for it was not ce~tainly known then what changes would take place in Mexico, and What kind of a Govt. would be established or what course would be pursued towards Texas- It was only known to .a. certainty that the central party were in power that all their measures tended to the distruction of the federal sistem, and th!lt preparations were making to invade Texas- At this time the people know that the Govt. has been changed by the basis established in the decree of 3 October last, and tliat they are threatened with total extermination- In short the whole pic- ture is now clearly before them, they see the dangers that hang over them.- ~~ these dangers be averted by a provisional organization which is based upon a declaration that is susceptible of different constructions. Does not t~e situation of the country require a more fixed and stable state of things. In short is it not now necessary that Texas should say in plain and positive language what position she will occupy and can this declaration be made without a new and direct resort to the people by calling a convention in which the representation will be as equal in proportion to the population, as can be obtained- • • • These are questions of the most vital importance- I respectfully submit them to the consideration of the provisional Govt- in the full confidence tnat all the attention wiil be given to them which they merit, and that no time will be lost in coming to some resolution of a decisive character. [STEPHEN F. 4usT1N.]
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