393
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
to what disposition is hereafter to be made of this Country. As a Sover• eign State, Texas ought to be at full liberty to remain so, or lo unite with any one she thinks proper, without this her Sovereignly would be nominal. The great mass of the people wish for annexation lo the U. S., 1t 1s my wish, but I see no mode of effecting it, until Texas is absolutely indepen- dent, unless by a quit claim from Mexico to the U. S. which is attended with many difficulties and objections-tho I, as an indiyidual would waive them, for the sake of saving the old settlers, who have redeemed this country from the wilderness, from the further evils of war, or of internal dissentions, to which I fear this country is to he exposed. The interest of the Volunteers and new comers will also he promoted and protected by annexation to the U. S. But notwithstanding all this, many will raise objections, and strong ones, to any Sale of Texas by Mexico, even to the U. S. I have represented to President Burnet the importance of writing to you, officially, by every opportunity, and I presume it will be done-and that this Govt will in future not totally forget that they have representatives at Washington City, as they did do, (as I presume both of you are aware, for you were members of the Cabinet then) before your departure from here The Secretary of State Mr W. H. Jack has not returned from the Neches, where he went after his family, when he does, you will no doubt receive regular official letters and reports of the State of Affairs here- I at least hope you will, for they are important at Washington. Our Army is still at Victoria on Guadalupe- The whole country is turning out en masse-no one now has any doubts of the result- There is no positive information that the Mexican Army has advanced to the Nueces and I think it doubtful whether they will advance until next month, or September, owing to the want of supplies etc s. F. AUSTIN I arrived on the 27th Ult and saw Santa Anna on the 2d. 3d_. and 4th. instant the original of his letter to Gen. Jackson was sent by me, by ex- press, from Columbia to Gen Gains and I presume will reach Washington before this does- The duplicate is in the hands of President Burnet- S. F. A.
AUSTIN'S MEMORANDUM1
1836- Velasco- July 10-
Memorandum- The original letter of. July 4th from Gen. Santa Anna to Gen. Jackson, 2 containing the copies of the treaties of 14th May and Santa Anna's farewell JJn Austin's letter book filed as July 4, 1836. :?Jn Garrison, Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, I, 106-107.
Powered by FlippingBook