THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1383 It cannot be, that the fundamental principles of a free constitution, cemented by the blood of thousands is thus early trampled under foot, and its most sacred principles violated in the persons of Amer- icans, after being invited into this country with a guarantee of their rights and liberties-I have strong reasons to belieYe that there have been some forgeries of papers here, and there exists too much evi- dence of the fact, that letters have been broken open, directed to my brother before he rec 4 them-This is my only hope of the fate of the colony and consequently of the country-If the government can divest Haden Edwards of half his grant, they can divest him of the whole in the same manner; and if they can, in violation of the con- stitution, confiscate or declare a forfeitu1·e of his property, they can in like manner divest every other Empresario of his rights: and what security can any American feel, should this be the case, in the tenure he may hold under them, or even the government itself?- This is a question of .serious import, and one that seems to be coming home to the bosom of every reflecting American in this sec- tion of the country, friend or foe, who is apprised of said orders, said to have been recd, here. The fact is my friend, I am becominr alarmed at the present indications of distrust and excitement, that i! manifesting itself every day among the Americans in this section of the province-I am too well acquainted with the character and feelings of the Americans not to feel uneasy at the present state of things. It is reported and believed that Been has a grant to the Nuteral lands; and yet the Alcalda is letting out said lands to his favourites, suffering them to .take the improvements of others, while some rely upon obtaining their titles through Been or his commis- sioner, and all doubtful of the security of their lands eventually- What so much adds to this confusion, is the abuse of justice and the continual outrage upon the rights and liberties of the .A.mericans by the civil authority of this place, aided and supported by the cele- brated James Gaines, and his followers, who seem determined to put down every man, who will not bow in adoration to him, and who has independance to be a freeman. This mn.n by much affectation of patriotism for this government, and by inducing the people to believe his influence very great with the governor etc obtained a standing with them, that has made him truly formidable to his enemies- Having been active with others in organizing two regulating com- panies, the object of which was no doubt laudable at first and has done good, he now makes use of this auxiliary aid to oppress and bear down every man, who is obnoxious to him, or who does not approve of his policy of throwing the whole country into commo- tion, which he has done, for no other purpose thnn for his groveling political views and self-aggrandisement.
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