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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
contrary to my own impulses, for I wish to see Texas free from the tram- mels of religious intolerance and other anti-republican restrictions, and in- dependent at once; and as an individual have always been ready to risk my all to obtain it; but I could not feel justifiable in precipitating and involv- ing others until I was fully satisfied that they would be sustained. Since my arrival here, I have received information which has satisfied me on this subject. I have no doubt we can obtain all and even much more aid than we need. I now think the time has come for Texas to assert her natural rights; and were I in the convention I would urge an immediate declaration of independence. I form this opinion from the information now before me. I have not heard of any movement in the interior by the federal party, in favor of Texas, or of the constitution; on the contrary the information from Mexico is that all parties are against us, owing to what has already been said and done in Texas in favor of independence; and that we have nothing to expect from that quarter but hostility. I am acting on this information. If it be true, and I have no reason to doubt it, our present position in favor of the republican principles of the constitution of 1824, can do us no good, and it is doing us harm by deterring those kind of men from joining us that are most useful. I know not what information you may have in Texas as to the movements of the federal party in our favor, nor what in- fluence they ought to have on the decision of this question, this being a matter which the convention alone can determine; I can only say that, with the information now before me, I am in favor of an immediate declaration of independence. Santa Anna was at San Luis Potosi according to the last accounts, marching on rapidly with a large force against Texas. We must be united and firm, and look well to the month of March-and be ready. I shall try to be at home by that time. Yours, respectfully, s. F. AUSTIN.
AUSTIN TO ROYALL AND FISHER1
New Orleans, January 7, 1836.
MESSRS. R.R. ROYALL ANDS. RHOADS FISHER. DEAR Srns:
I am happy to inform you that the cause of Texas and of liberty stands very high in this city and all over the United States. The spirit of the people is aroused by the evident justice of our cause, and they will sustain us. The universal wish and expectation in this quarter is that Texas ought to declare herself independent at once. I have always been cautious and unwilling to involve the pioneers and actual settlers of Texas in anything like precipitation. As to the right of
1 From Brown, History of Texas, I, 469.
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