47
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
They know but little of these matters and of the mental torment I have sufferea, to get anything done for Texas At this time the feeling in favor of Texas is much better and more favourable than it ever has been, and I believe that if the attention of Govt-and of congress was not distracted by the disjointed state of the times, ·something material would be done for Texas, however it is really not so very important whether anything is done or not if a deal calm and union can be preserved in that country. imigra- tion-good er.ops-no party divisions-no excitements-no personalities should be the political creed of every one in Texas. The Chihuahua road should be opened by some means and must be, I think the Gen 1 Govt will aid-the state of Chihuahua will aid I have heard from there on the subject In this matter, and probably in others Chihuahua and Texas will have the same interest. 1 The political character of this country, seems to partake of its geological features-all is volcanic If there is sound judgment and common sense in Texas, the convulsions here will not affect that country The prosperity of Texas should flow onward like the silent current of a river-nothing from this quarter can, or will, impede its progress. This has always been my view of the subject, and hence it is that I have uniformly adopted (when left to my own judgment, or not contrould by circumstances) a silent, and concilliatory course. That policy has settled Texas, and if pursu~d a few years longer· will secure its happiness and prosperity. Spain I presume will acknowledge the independence of Mexico very soon- the island of Cuba will then be open to us-- it is the best market for beef catLle, oxen, hogs, horses, mules, corn, lard beans, peas etc in the world. I am trying to get a premium on Texas cotton shipped to Vera Cruz and Tampico-an exemption from duties and many other things in favor of Texas. The state question was taken up in the house of repre- sentatives a short time since and information called for from the execu- tive-it is now before the cabinet, and gaining friends dayly. My oppo• sition has had a most salutary influence, and 'placed Texas on high ground. The project of a territory is now totally dead, so much so that its advocates are now in favor, of a state. Even Bradburn 2 is now an active and warm advocate in favor of a state. There has been a great change since Grayson lef.t in favor of Texas. Don Lucas Alaman, and Gutierrez Estrada the prese"nt minister of relations, are two of the best friends Texas has in Mexico. They are educated honest and honorable men, and as a matter of course have many enemies. Almonte is another friend of Texas, and an active one. He is printing an account of that country. He says it is favourable. I have not seen it, nor any part of it. 1 For the significance of the Chihuahua road see Barker, Life of Stephen 'F. Austin, 452. 2 John Davis Bradburn, colonel in command of the Mexican garrison at Anahuac on Galveston Bay in 1832. He was expelled by an insurrectionary force of Texans.
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