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TEX.As STA'l'E LmRARY
timated, and of what I conceive to be their present true political situation. I gave the data, to which I as an officer was bound to give faith; and to which. my fellow-citizens have no right to take exceptions; for if they did, they would not believe though one should arise from the dead. I informed you that a crisis had arrived in the political affairs of 'Texas, which rendered her situa- tion eminently dangerous; that her situation was peculiar to her- self alone; that vigilant action on the part 9f her citizens was absolutely necessary; that she should be consulted by her repre- sentatives; that a separation froin Coahuila was indispensable; that Tc:2.:as must have a separate Government, without which her in- terests could not be sustained. In making all these representa- tions, however, let it be remembered, 1hat I recommended a strict adhesion to the constitution which we have sworn to support, I de- sired nothing new; no innovation upon that instrument; but to come within our own limits, on tenable ground, and there sustain our- selves; from anarchy, and miUtary misrule; under the auspices of that sacred instrume~t, which.had been guaranteed to us by the Gen- eral Government, as the fundamental law by which we should, by our own consent, be governed. These are the general fea'tures of my official which has met with so much opposition and misconstruction. I now undertake to demonstrate to my fellow-citizens, that the grounds assumed by me are not only tenable, but afford the only safe passport for 'rexas. from anarchy and confusion; the only safe course left for her to evade coUision, and final ruin; if I do not succeed in explaining and proving these things to the satisfaction of the most ordinary capa- city, If I do not succeed in producing conviction in the most vin- dictive anci prejudiced minds, who are •all credulity or increduli- ty, as chance or circumstaJ1ces may direct; I will then submit, however contrary to my better judgment, to remain quiet, and await events; submit myself to circumstances whatever may betide. I shall however, be under the full conviction that some lawless comet in her excentric movements, has emitted into his unfortunate Re- public a poisonous effluvia calculated to paralyse honesty, and produce confusion; that anarchy has become the order of the day, and rages throughout this Republic as an epidemic disease; that the premonitory symptoms have even reached the remote point called 'rexas; that the spasmodic affections have, iu some places made their appearance, striking a panic in her misguided citizens; that the collapsed 'State is fast approaching; when her political curtain will fall forever. In the first place I would suggest to my fellow- citizens, that the idea, which seems to prevail with the people generally is, that the object was to form or organize a state gov- ernment for Texas, vi et armis, thnt such a measure was necessary and that she should organize a state government right or wrong. It will be seen, however, on a fair investigation that no such idea or opinion has been advanced by me; and nothing can be found in my official, however construed, or tortured, from which any such in- ference could be fairly drawn. That Texas was justly entitled to a separate government, and
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