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the voice of the people generally will be with me, when they become acquainted with all the circumstances. Putting General Santa Anna to death cuts off all hope of negocialion,- we have no alternative left but to fight our way through- a prolonged war will destroy our country for a while, and make bankrupts of many of our citizens-these are weighty considerations and ought not lo be lost sight of. I a pecuniary point of view, we are illy prepared for war-we have not money, nor have we good credit; so far what has been done has been done by individual enterprize- I have advanced nearly $25,000 to carry on this war- I am unable lo advance more-there are others who have advanced a much larger sum, they are now like myself unable to do more except in personal services; therefore we embrace the opportunity of negotiation while we have it in our power, and if we cannot ,...succes.5 in that, our only course left is to fight for the rights we wish to establish and let our watchword be Independence or Death. In the meantime while we are awaiting an answer from the United Stales Government, our Army should continue to organize, and should the answer not be favorable to our views our contemplated expedition could be extended towards Matamoros and the Rio Grande in cooler weather than it now is, with success, and with that view we ought to be ready and prepared as far as in our power for the worst; and in fact so the enemy are making a show of hostility, perhaps our best course would be to pursue the war with vigor, which might' more effectually bring about the much desired negotiation-but of this however I am not a judge. It also appears lo me that we ought to make a friendly treaty with the Comanche Indians, whereby we can co-operate with them and have much of the country on the Rio Grande in Tomaulipas, Coahuila, Chihauhua laid an entire waste, by encouraging a trade with them and buy all the horses, mules, sheep, and cattle they can plunder from those States. Should these steps be taken, if we have lo resort lo further fighting, it would be much more difficult for the Mexican Army lo march against us-the wilderness would be extended, and the supplies of stock cut off, while at the same lime the supplies of stock for our army would be increased and really it appears lo me, that if we cannot succeed by negotiation, we can by such a course. It cannot fail to bring the Mexicans to their senses by which they may be easier humbled, and much more readily grant us our Indcpendencc.
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