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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
are to be blamed for every thing, and deserve death. It is something like the fable of the wolf, who devoured a sheep for muddying the water of .a brook in which they were both drinking at the same time, the wolf some hundred yards above the sheep. That some acts have been committed in Texas, which I have always disapproved, and still disapprove, is well known. They were reprobated and disapproved by the great mass of the people. But that these individual acts were of the rebel character, which the government of Mexico says they are, or that all Texas should be con~ demned to ruin on this account, is as false a pretext as that of the wolf for eating the sheep. The truth is that liberal and free principles must be ba~- ished from Texas, as they have been, or perhaps will be, from all Mexico, lo suit the views of the central party. To do this, the people of Texas must be annihilated; and some reasons must be given to the world, for so harsh a measure. The rumors circulated by my enemies, that I was instructed, [interested] or in any way concerned in these large land sales and specula- tions, is false. This sp,ecimen of the ruinous legislation of Coahuila, as to ]ands, is a fair specimen of their legislation for Texas, in all other matters. A large portion of this country has thus been thrown away into the hands of speculators, and entangled by conflicting claims. And are the people of Texas to be blamed for a11 this? Was it their acts that involved this coun- try in a perplexing_land labyrinth, and in anarchy and revolution? No, !t was the acts of native born Mexican legislators and revolutionists. Thx.s subject, and all other matters connected with Texas, ought to be fully e:x;- plained in a manifesto from the representatives of the people. This i_s therefore another reason why a convention ought to be called. The fact is now evident that Texas is engaged in a struggle for existence, against great numerical strength and resources; and she must supply her physical weak- ness, by the justice of the cause. If she cannot do this, she deserves to fall. For the res.sons expressed, I am of opinion a convention should be called, without any delay, ~o meet as soon as _possible to hold the elections and convene the members. This is also the decided opinion of the citizen volunteers of the army, as expressed to me very generally, before I left the camp. The provisional government will, of course, continue in full force, until changed by the convention. Their labors, in my opinion, have been directec;l_ by the purest desire to promote the general good, and merit the app1obatio~ of the cou11try. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 5. F. AUSTIN.
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