782
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
joined me in forming this Colony and the Greatest consolation I derive from the enterprise is the conviction that I shall do so- It has been my Study to treat all with equal justice and impar- tiality and if I have failed to do so it must be attributed to the im- perfections of my judgement and not to those of my hea.rt, and with almost unlimited Authority in My hands I think you must say that I have governed you with mildness- It is our tn1e interest to keep peace with the Indians as long as we can do so consistent with our rights, but Should a war be unavoid- able you will not find me backward in prosecuting it. I trust however that you will all have too much prudence to commit any act that would prematurely bring on hostilities. I hope fellow citizens you will attend to the words of the Political Chief of this Province and in future disregard those vague rumors that are only put in circulation by the enemies of good order for the sole purpose of creating confusion and discontent, and that you will repose with confidence under the Authority that governs, being assured that the Government will always cherish and protect you, and that every thing in my feeble power to do for your benefit iVill be cheerfully done, for as I before observed, the greatest conso- ation I ever expect to de.rive from My labors in the wilderness of ~his Province will arise from the conviction that I have benefited many of my fellow beings, and laid the foundation for the settlement of one of the finest countries in the world- y our fellow Citizens, STEPHEN F. A UST IN [Rubric] May 1, 1824
JOSIAH H. BELL TO AUSTIN
Lower Settlement of the Brazos
Sm Acording to the instructions under the date of the twentieth of April last I met the people at James B. Bailys and read the Con- stitutional act together with the other papers accompany[ing] it those who came forward and took this oath ware as follows James B. Baily-John Jones-Joseph Callahan-Benjamin Fowler Corne- lus Smith-Shubeel Marsh-Smith Baily-Wm Singer-Sam• Carter-John McCormick-Owen H. Stout-James Nelson-Wm. Bery-David Shelby-Charles Johnson-,Toseph Stewart-Patrick Dowling-James Crunk-,vm PeJmare-David Frame-Wm Roberts-John W. Peter-Joseph Dupangh-John Bradly-we then a.fter administering the oath proceded to Elect a :Military
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