THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 1567 Edwards ought to be sufficient to prove to them that I have, at least, done nothing against them-This Govt- have by those letters offered a complete and full and unequivocal oblivion as to this occurrence at Nncogdoches since the commencement of these last disturbances: provided they now cease-this places Edwards and the others on the same ground they occupied before this affair-also the door is open for a new hearin~, or if you please a hearing in full (Supposing none to have been heretofore had) as to the affair of his colony and every thing connected with his acts since he came to the country-The personal security of all concerned is guaranteed expressly by the chief in his letter, while these matters (whose origen was previous to the last disturbances) are under investigation, and as to the union and nets of the party at Nacogcloc_hes there will be no investigation of any kind, for the general oblivion settles all that forever as respects the Government-- The door is therefore thrown open without re- serve for all to come :forward freely and under the Guarantee of their person:11 security to present their complaints to the tribunals of justice, be those complaints of whateYer nature- Edwards can have an opportunity of shewing that the information given against him by the local authority of Nacogdoches was false, and that the Govt. has been deceived by those subordinate officers and if he proves this, justice and equity and honor will at once say that if injustice has been done to him by a hasty decission that, that decission should be reversed. The way is now perfectly clear for you all. embrace this favour- able aspect of things with the promptness and moderation you ought to do, and all your affairs will end well. take an obstinate stand and ask too much and you are all lost, for the Americans will not uphold any party contrary to justice law and reason-This colony is now united to a man and ready to march under the banners of the Nation to sustain the Gov:t-whnt will they do if these pacific and benevolent measures on the part of their Govt are not met with the respect and promptness by the opposing party whic4 they so justly merit~ As to myself lam your friend so fa.r as,my duty to this Govt and to the cause of justice will permit--beyond this I am your open enemy and so is every man of honor in the country- The chief expressly states in his proclamation to the citizens that his object in visiting this part of the Country is to hear the complaints that may exist against the local authorities of Nacogdoches, and I can assure you that those complaints will be heard and those authorities dealt by as the law prescribes if the proper steps are taken- Come therefore and bring the cherokee chiefs and the Edwards and see the chief of Department and commandant of arms-come quickly and without hesitation, I pledge myself, a~d this colony will sustain 25007°-24-voL 2, PT 2--36
Powered by FlippingBook