13
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
Robinson 6 business may be classed in the number W. should go to Mon- clova in person. He should collect all the oficios of Teran and the Govr· of the state by which R. was banished I saved him and those who came with him from those orders-these in addition Lo the April law rendered it im. possible for the Govt. to regrant that Colony to him or extend the tim!! to the Nashville comp.>' Secretary Santiago del Valle I presume will recollect that he was much hurt at me for requesting that the time should be extended to the Nashville Co. for he said I knew it was impossible as they were all citizens of the U. S. and the April law was then in force It could not be granted to R. or extended to the Nashville Co. this was impossible I enquired if it could be done and gave offense by making the enquiry It was applied for by a french Co. and others and would have been granted to some one, had I not procured it just as I did I thought it was my duty to Texas to try and keep it out of the hands of those foreign companies, for they have only done harm or at least as yet have not contributed much to settle the country. They would have had no sympathy for the old settlers my object was to settle that country so as to form a barrier against the hostile indians My intentions were good and had the gen 1 good in view Why am I now abused for doing what it really was my duty to Texas to do Chambers and Williams both know the history of all that matter. The fact is I deserve the thanks of the people. instead of their abuse, as to the upper Colony. I am of the opinion that the the rough answer given to Noriega; and some other things of like character that I .never knew anything about untill a week or so ago, have or will prolong my imprisonment six months at least, beyond what it would have been under a different course Thus I suffer for the hot headed acts of others as I have done in many iustances my general character is mildness and I have pursued conciliation as a system- but at moments I have been goaded into impatience and even passion Is it not rather strange that those moments, and they are few, are never forgotten all my mildness and prudence is over looked and merged in the recollection of some one or two rash expressions or an isolated act that of itself may appear intemperate, without knowing all the circum- stances This is not just Ben Franklin or Joo wd. have had their moments of ruffied temper in some situations I have been placed [in) Remember me to the chief H. Smith, 8 I hope he will not Lake it amiss if I advise him to sign Enrique and not Henry I am pleased with his ap- pointment and Burnetts 9 -give Burnett and the good Dr. Miller a shake of the hand for me--in fact to all-all-everybody-• \ S. F. A. 'See Barker's Au.still, 466. •Henry Smith, recently appointed political chief of the Department of the Brazos. "David G. Burnet had been appointed judge under the new judiciary act for Texas.
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