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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
This takes away the character of a national war, which the government in Mexico is trying to give it, and it will also give to Texas just claims on the Federal party, for remuneration out of the proceeds of the custom houses of Matamoros and Tampico, for our expenses in furnishing the auxiliary aid. But if Texas sends an invading force of foreign troops ,against Matamoros, it will change the whole matter. Gen. Mexia ought to have commanded the expedition to Matamoros and only waited to be asked by :he Provisional Government to do so. I repeat: It is much easier to keep the war out of Texas and beyond the Rio Grande, than to bring it here to our own doors. The farmers and sub- stantial men of Texas can yet save themselves, but to do so they must act in union and as one man. This, I fear, is impossible. In the upper settlement Dr. Hoxey is loud for independence. Of Course he is in favor of a large standing army to sustain it, and will no doubt be ready to give up half, or all, of his prop- erty to support thousands of volunteers, etc., who will flood the country from abroad. It is all very well and right to show to the world that Texas has just and e~uitable grounds to declare independence; but it is putting the old settlers in great danger to make any such declara:ion, for it will tum all the parties in Mexico against us. It will bring back the war to our doors, which is now far from us, and it will compel° the men of property in Texas to give up half or all to support a standing army of sufficient magnitude to contend with all Mexico united. s. F. AUSTIN. [To F. W. Johnson, Daniel Parker, D. C. Barrett, J. W. Robinson, Wyatt Hanks, P. Sublette, Asa Hoxey.]
AUSTIN TO PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT1
Velasco Dec.r 22. 1835- The best interests of Texas, I think require that the war should be kept out of this country and beyond the rio grande. On this principle I was in favor of fitting out Col Gonzales and did everything I could to do so. I was, and am in favor of giving to Genl. Mexia and his men what aid we could, and generally of affording assistance lo the federl party in the in- terior by such auxiliary forces as we could spare. I have been and am op- posed to any measures that will give to the_centr~l govt. in Mexico any foundation to say that the Texan war, is purely a national war against for- eigners and foreign invaders- In short I have thought, and still think that Texas should rigidly adhere to the leading principles of the declaration of
IFrom Anny Papers, Texas State Library.
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