291
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
7 Nov.r last. By so doing we preserve our character for consistency and good faith. I will here observe, that in my communication to the provisional govt. of 2d install;t recommending the convocation of a convention on the basis of equal representation, I objec~ed to the declaration of 1 Nov.r as being liable to [mis]construction. Perhaps I ought to state the·extent and nature of my objection-it is this- The declaration does not declare Texas to be a state of the Mexican confederation, which I think it ought to have done, subject however to all the other provisions and principles established in it-This would have given a fixed and deffinite character to the political position of Texas and concentrated public opinion, and at the same time left her the option of reuniting with Mexico or not hereafter, according as the federal constitution when reestablished conformed or not to the repub• lican principles of the federal system, for it is to be remembered that the declaration of Novr. 7 does not adhere to all the anti-republican features and defects of the constitution of 1824, it only adheres to its republican principles and to the federal system. It is well known that the object of the federal party of Mexico at this time is to reform the constitution of 1824 so as to expunge all its anti-re• publican principles. Our declaration of 7 Nov.r in this respect is therefore in strict conformity with the basis on which the federal party are acting But it is objected that Texas cannot declare herself a state of the Mex- ican confederation, unless she does so under the constitution of 1824 with all its defects etc. To this I answer, that, the dissolution of the social com- pact and the present physical situation of all Mexico gives to Texas the right of declaring herself an independent community-This being the case she certainly has the right to do much less, that is, to say she will continue united with the Mexican confederation, provided the federal party succeed in reestablishing the federal system on truly republican principles, free from the defects of the constitution of 1824, at the same time offering her aid to that party to effect this object. As Lo independence- I think it will strengthen the cause of Texas to show that we have legal and equitable and just grounds to declare· inde- P.endence, and under this view I touched upon this subject in, my communi- cation to the provisional Gov.t of 30. th ultimo. But I also think that it will- weaken Texas, and expose the old settlers and men of property in this coun- try to much risk, to make such a declaration at this time, and under the present circumsta~~es, for the reason that it will tum all parties in·Mexico ag~inst us-bring back the war to our own doors, which is now removed from Texas by the fall of Bexar, and compel the people to seek aid at any sacrifice.- I do not think it necessary to run any such risk, for the natural current of events will soon regulate everything. A large portion of the
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