PAPERS OF 11,_ImABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR. 175 aspiring or an ambitious man, for those of you who know me, well know that I am contented with an humble sphere in life. But a nine years siege in the wilderness of Texas, suffering in common with you, all the privations and hardships naturall~ attendant on such a situaticn, sustained by hope and fondly anticipating on the future; · now to see that future suddenly overcast, depicting & threatening RU the evils attendant on a state of anareliy and confusion; and being impelled by my oath of office to warn you of the approach of those dangers, will, it is hoped, be considered as sufficient reason to warrant the present appeal. If, however, fellow citizens, upon a fair investigation of this important question a· majority of yon should be in favor of a State Government for Texas, on the principle heretofore attempted, you will certainly not ,find me in oppcsition; having no other object in view than that of promoting the general interest, by providing and establishing for Texas a separate Gov- ernment, to which she is justly entitled, and without which her in- terests tannot be sustained. I have maturely deliberated on the situation of Texas both as connected ,vith the State and General Government, and have recommended the former course in pref- ference to the latter, for the reasons already set forth; having an honest conviction that, under all the circumstances, it was the least exceptionable. This however is a matter submitted to the sovereign people on which to deliberate and determine. I have ju.st at this moment {when .about to bring this communication to a close) re- ceived from a friend in San Felipe, information that our Mexican brethren of Bexar was about to take the lead in forming a plan to effect the desired object, and that an express from them was hourly <>xpected. This is as it should be, and bids fair to promote concert. I1et the North American citizens of Texas then throw aside all their local prejudices and private animosities, and freely and honestly enter into concert to promote the object so desirable, and on which depends the destinies of their adopted Country. If, however, fellow citizens, after receiving this fair warning, you should still remain inactive and unenergetie and not be sufficiently alive to protect your own vital interests; and suffer this fair portion of the State to be swept into the vortex of anarchy and ruin, I shall still have left one pleasing .and heartfelt consolation that if I have not ahly, that I have at least honestly and faithfully DISCHARGED l\IY DUTY. · HENRY SMITH. BRAZORIA, OCTOBER 20, 1834. No. 187. 1834 Nov. 9, W. H. WHARTON. "A CARD DENYING AUSTIN'S CHARGES 25 A CARD A printed letter dated PRISON of the Oeordado, city of l\Iexico, August 25th, 1834, and signed Stephen F. Austin, has this moment met my eye. Among other ridiculous things it contains many grave '"Printed. In no. 192. The original is in the Austin Papers.
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