412
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
not decline the highly responsible and difficult one now proposed, should the majority of my fellow citizens elect me. My labors and exertions to settle this country and promote its welfare are well known. My object has been the general good, and the permanent liberty and prosperity of Texas. In the pursuit of this object I can say with a clear conscience that I have been honest and sincere in my inten• lions, and shall continue to be so, whether I am acting as a private citizen or as a public officer. I perceive by the proclamation of the President, ordering the election, that the people are requested to say whether they are in favor or not of annexing Texas to the United Stales. On this point I shall consider myself bound, if elected, to obey the will of the people. As a citizen, however, I am free to say that I am in favor of a~nexation, and will do all in my power to effect.it with the least possible delay. Respectfully your fellow citizen S. F. AUSTIN
GEORGE FISHER TO AUSTIN . _[New Orleans, August 5, 1836. See Calendar.]
AUSTIN TO THOMAS J. RUSK
Navidad, August 9, 1836
BRGR. GEN. T. J. RusK- DR SIR-
I met Dr. Archer and Mr. Wharton at this place- They showed me your letter to the secretary of War and instructions to them, as to the con• templat~ movement of the ar~y against Matamoros- Archer requested me to return with them so as to combine all our effort~ in support of this measure and I shall do so-- • It was my intention to have visited you before this, but hearing that the enemy had Made no move from Matamoros I remained at my brother in laws to obtain a few days rest and recruit my health- Dr Archer and Many others whose opinions I feel bound to respect, in- sisted that I should be a candidate for President at the september elec• lions-- Mr. W. H. Wharton was also of the number who requested it. My name is accordingly before the people- I have consented to this for only one reason, which is that I believe I can be of material service in pro• curing the anne~ation of Texas to the U. S. should the people here wish it, as I have no doubt they do. As is usual in such cases, there no doubt are many erronious reports in oirculation-1 have heard two- One that I am interested in the land
lfrom Austin's letter book, in file of July 4, 1836.
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