THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 645 instead of one, I do not wish to take an active part in politics, but :if I can do anything in favour of the confederate system, I will _do so with pleasure-In the city of Mexico and everywhere else where ' there are Fryars·this system will be opposed ··those miserable drones are the ·enemies of liberty, of human happiness and of the human race-their converts instead of being consecrated to the sacred and immaculate religion they profess are dens of "corruption, of in- trigue, of infamy and vice-there never was a people so clreadful1y priestridden and enslaved by superstition and fanaticism as the great part of this na.tio'n •The clergy literally suck the blood of the unfortunate people-will the great God of Justice :incl of truth, will.the lights o:f the age, permit such horrible abuses to exist much longed No-Mexico has recove1.<1 her·civil liberty-She will soon n.ssume her rights in full, and bursting the chains of ·superstition declare that man lias a right to thinlc for himself. Farewell may we soon meet in happiness remember me to all friends ESTEVAN F. AusTIN [Rubric"'
ROBERT LEFTWICH TO AUSTIN
City of Mexico 20°' May 1823.
DEAR FRIEND I have just received a letter addressed to you and presuming it probable, that it may be of some importance to you, as to some friend of yours, who wrote it, I have thought proper to enclose it to you at Monteray. •There being so little time, between receiving it, and the departure of the mail, prevents me ~rom entering into detail of the passing events at this place, since your departure which must be the subject of a subsequent letter. ··I will, however, inform you, that nothing of material consequence, has been done in congress since you left here, the subject of calling a ne-,v congress has occupied, the whole of their time, nor have they as yet decided that question, tho, it appears to be the general opinion that the present congress will decide in favour of convoking a new one. Guadalaxara has declared that unless a new congress is elected that there will be a separation of that province, that they will declare it, a free and independent Govt having determined not to obey the present congress. Reports· says that Vera Cruz and Puebla are of the like sentiments. ,vhat will the people of the United States say of your Mexican Congress; the Emperor refused to have them, nnd now their con- stituents have refused them under-those circumstances, who beside the devil will · have them.·
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