37
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
it was not before, and I believe that the opinion is becoming fixed· that Texas ought to have a local Govt· without any delay; and that the people of that country, or myself have never had any designs lo separate from th~ . Mexican republic. My liberty depended on this laLter idea, and the best proof that can be given that it is •no longer believed Texas wished to separate from the Nation, is the fact of my liberation. One of the main objects of my mission was obtained last year by the repeal of the 11 article of the April law. The other the State question remaind pending. The past will not, in any manner, deter me from moving it in Congress again pro- vided I see any prospect of doing good. But more can now be obtained by mildness, than by any other means, and for the plain reason, that at this time the nation is almost prostrated as to physical force, but has more pride than ever~ In this state of things, the Govt· would do 11mch, if it had the appearance of confering a favor-but nothing that would seem to be conceded to threats or violence. I believe that the interference of D Lucas Alaman contributed very ma- terially Lo my liberation. He visited me frequently in prison, and so did D. Ramos Arispe, Almonte and Victor Blanco. I can have no doubt of the friendly disposition of these gentlemen towards me. The president Santana has uniformly expre~sed himself friendly to me. I have not yet seen him- but little can be said in favor of his political course in general, So I will say no more about him. Send this to Perry-Miller Martin etc.
S. F. A.
Will write next mail ---[undeciperable] is well
Al Senor D. Samuel M Williams o J B Miller San Felipe De Austin Texas
SAMUEL M. WILLIAMS TO }AM~S F. PERRY
San Felipe 7 th JanY 1835
DEAR Sm With this I send you a letter from the Col [Austin] 2d Decemr in Mexico: which will inform you of his health etc, and further that the president of the Republic, to whom was referred the difficulties between Monclova and Saltillo has recommended new elections througout the State for Govr Vice Govr members of Legislature etc. This,will retard the meeting of Congress or more properly the Legis- lature until March- The friends of the Col at this place are determined in following up the old ticket and elect him and McKinney again. , 1That is, elect Austin as member of the le~islature with Thomas F. McKinney for sup[ente or alternate. Austin had been elected in the fall of 1834, but Santa Anna, acting as moderator between Saltillo and Monclova, had called for new elections~
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