THE AUSTIN PAPERS, 1557 think of open opposition to the Government, neither will I believe that you have so far forgotten the land of your birth and the proud nnme of American as to disgrace that name by associating yourself with persons, nnd advocating a cause unworthy of it-My friend you are wrong-totally wrong from begining to the end of this Nacog- doches affair-I have no doubt that great cause of complaint exists against the Alcalde nnd a few others in that district but you have taken the wrong method of seeking redress-The law Las pointed out the mode of punishing officers in the Govt. from the President down, nnd no individual or individuals ought to assume to themselves that nuthority, but what is past is done-let us forget it, and look to the future. If you will take reason for your guide in future nnd do your duty as a citizen of this Govt. all will be right-The chief of this Department is on his way to Nacogdoches, his object is to regulate the Govt. and do justice to all-he is a mild and good man and will never do an act of injustice to any one nnd if you will come forward freely nnd without reserve and in a respectfull manner submit to his authority, you will save yourself and family from total and inevitable ruin-You have been mosL astonishly imprudent but I do not think it too late for you to settle all that is past for I cannot believe that you have been so mad as to think of joining the Indians and opposing the Govt. by force-The people of this colony are unanimous. I have not heard of one man who is not opposed to your violent measures and there is not one amongst us who will not freely take up arms to oppose you and sustain the Govt. should it be necessa.:-y to do so i\Iy wish is to befriend you nll so far as I cri.n consistent with my duty and if you will rely upon me and listen to my advice all will be settled easily-Separate yourself from nll factions-disband your voluntier company raised in violation of law-and submit to the Govt. freely and without hesitation, and put aside your arms-If you do this I have no doubt but everything will be satisfactorily settled. take the opposite course nnd you are lost for you need not believe those who tell you that this Govt. is without force, They can send 3000 men to Nacogcloches if it should be necessary nnd there is not a man in this colony who would not join them-Think what you are about my friend and sn.ve yourself by adopting the course I have pointed out, before it is too late-- farewell may you have a happy new yenr, but wheither you will or not depends entirely on yourself STEPHEN F. AusTIN [Rubric] [Addressed:] Mr Burri! J. Thompson Iesh Bayou
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