420
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
country to take, or not, it was taken .by that declaration with certain limita- tions, and consequently the said declaration of 7th Nov. was, for the time being, the fundamental law of the land, and as such, it became the duty of ·every citizen to sustain it, until it was changed. The country acted upon this principle at that Lime-I did so, as it was my duty Lo do, and it seems thar I am now denounced for so doing, and isolated expressions are raked, without any reference lo the peculiar circumstances and temporary excite- ments of those days, or to the idea which was entertained by many, of try- ing. to keep the seat of war beyond the limits of Texas, until the country was better prepared, and by that means save the families from the devas- tations of invasion which they have suffered. I was appointed, and not at my solicitation, by the said November Con- vention, to go lo the United States as a Commissioner in conjunction with Dr. B. T. Archer, and W. H. Wharton, Esq. I obeyed the call of my coun- try, thus expressed, and labored faithfully ancl arduously in the cause, as did both of my colleagues. Our services were of a nature that it is difficult to explain or appreciate-we made loans that were beneficial, and did not hesitate to pledge our private property-our accounts have been rendered to the government and are matter of record- We labored assiduously to enlighten and inform the public mind, as to the origin, principles, and objects of the contest with Mexico, and in every respect obeyed our instruc- tions. The estimate in which my own services were held by my colleagues is·sufficiently shown by their request that I would be a candidate for Presi- dent, and by their support of my election. And yet it is now charged upon me as sort of a crime that I obeyed the call of the November Convention, and left Texas at all, and it is also said that nothing was done by the Com- missioners but lo eat fine dinners, drink wine, etc. Such is the kind of slang you inform me will destroy my election. The people ought to be competent to analize these mallers, and judge for them- selves. They are however liable to be misled, by wrong impressions, but will do justice in the end, and I assure you that it will be no personal mor- tification to me, individually, if l am not elected while such erroneous im- pressions exist. 1 have one proud consolation which nothing can deprive me of, and that is the approbation of my own conscience, and the certainty . that all I have done since I came to Texas in 1821, will bear the test of the most rigid scrutiny. I do not pretend by this Lo say, that I have not erred •in judgment, and perhaps from imprudent council, but I do say, that no man has labored with purer intentions, or with a more ardent and disin- terested desire to promote the prosperity, and happiness, and liberty of Texas, and I will also say, that I consented to become a candidate at this election with great reluctance. I have been absent from Texas, on public .business, for about three years. During this time, my individual affairs
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