The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume I

PAPERS OF :MmABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 171 in a tate of perfect anarchy and confu ion. The state govern- ment has fallen into pieces, without leaving a foundation on which another can be constitutionally erected; on the 30th o-f last month, au officer of the permanent army was proclaimed governor of the state by fifteen officers of the army, two members of the ayunta- miento of this place, and three of the deputies of the congress; and the former governor turned out of office. There is not, nor will there be. any congress or permanent deputation in this place during the present year, at one time since my arrival in this city there were seven members present, two of whom were of the Saltillo party, and refu. ed to serve; and immediately left for that place. Bascas left this morning for Texas. I shall, if permited, remain here a few weeks longer. The government establi hed in Saltillo till exists and g.aining ground. The towns of Rio Grande, Moralas, San John de Mat and Santa Rose, have declared in favour of Saltillo. There are about 500 militia and permanent troops in this plac~, but up to the present time they have remained inactive. The government of Saltillo appears to be on an equal footing with that of this place, and has an equal number of supporters in this part of the state. IS OT TEXAS AS l\IUCH ENTITLED TO A GOVER MENT AS THE FORl\IER; she is without one, in fact none exist in the nation of which he forms ,a, part; I am of opinion this is a subject worthy your deliberation at this critical moment. The state of Vera Cruz ha , I am informed, declared in favor of a Central Government; and I have no doubt of Santa Anna's inten- tion to e tablish that; form of government. Chambers will leave in a fe.w days. for Texas. Yours &c. OLIVER JONES. It will be seen from the above letter, that the Saltillo party has been acquiring stren!!th for · ome time, and the i\Ionclova party are of a more recent formation· possessing now about equal force; both of whom however are purions, and in direct opposition to tbe constituted authorities, endeavoring to make null every thing like con titutional law. Our repre entative to u e his own words, makes the followincr enquiry, "Is not Texas a much entitled to a ·government as the former, she i without one, in fact none exist in tlrn nation of which she forms ,a. part?" The enquiry made by our repi.:esentative is perfectly natural, and will present itself to the mind of every thinking man. That a government for Texas is abso- lutely nece,ssary; that she is evidently without one, ai·e points itpQn which there can exist b·1it little difference of opinion. That Texas s7wuld immediately . organize, and protect herself from impending ruin all mttst agree. But bow organize 1 And by what means afford herself the protection so necessary to her well being, are matters about which much contrariety and difference of opinion may be expected. fany would be·in favor of organizing, on the principle heretofore adopted, of forming Texas into a, separate and inde- pendent state, leaving herself subject to the action of the general government. She has been once memorialized on that subject, and the result not yet ascertained, for our bearer of despatches, for aught we know, may yet be persecuted even imto death for his

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