PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
country will be effected and peace thereby restored, and the inde- pendence, prosperity and happiness of the people secured.- It cannot be concealed that this country labors under many dis- i!dvantages at this time, which it did not at the commencement of the war-I will make some comparisions on the main points 1st. Population. In the fall of 1836 the vote was nearly six thousand;. at the late election after near three years, it is only near eight thou- sand; this small increase has been principally on the Sabine & Red Rivers which I have shown does not strengthen the West, where the weight of the war must finally rest. 2nd. In the spring of 1836 when Sante-Anna invaded us he sought not the aid of the Indian tribes, and until the hour of his defeat at San Jacinto not a tommahawk was raised in his behalf, except by a. small party of the Caronkeways; at this time we have undoubted evidence that nearly all the tribes on our whole frontier will aid Mex- ico whenever she may again attack us. 3rd. In the spring of 1836, Texas had the command of the Gulf of Mexico- and one or two small vessels were enabled to capture sup- plies from the enemy- Now we have not a single gun afloat, and Mexico has been and is continually increasing her navy until it amounts to 150 guns with several 18 gun Briggs built at Baltimore, and equal to any on the ocean- this is a fearful odds,-and the opening of the ports of Cuba arrising from her recognition by old Spain is of immense advantage to her naval power. 4th In the spring of 1836, we had two strong forts on the ffan An- tonio River well supplied with Cannon and ammunition, with upwards of one thousand as brave men as ever fought for any country. Now we have no troops in the west, no forts- no cannon- no amunion -and saviago with a handful of marauding Rencharos is unmet. 5th. In the spring of 1836 the people of Texas were wealthy-every man had money-the country was covered with Cattle and the corn eribs and smokes houses full-Now there is no money in the country ·even beef is scarce and many portions of the country have not more subsistence than is necessary for their own support. · 6th. In the Spring of 1836- Texas had a lively and active sympathy in the United States that furnished her with men and supplies. Now the day of enthusiasm has passed and it will be impossible to get men for a mere defencive warfare. I might continue the contrast but will content myself with merely adding that the attitude which the United States has assumed in reference to the Brittish Canadian possessions is calculated to have a very injurious bearing on Texian relations with that country should the time ever be permitted to arrive when an other call for assistance would be imperiously & promptly demanded. It will be seen by your Excellency that I do not write this paper for the public eye. I do not fear stating the truth. How elce can we arrive at true conclusions? · I will not state the advantages which I deem will inevitably ensue from the plan I recomend if it succeeds. . The Western portion will be defended- the Colomsts_ may be_ col- lected at such points as well deter or defeat the _hostile Indians, before the main Concentration takes place on the Rio Grande- con-
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