by persons whose opinions I could not disregard, without laying myself liable, at least in some degree, to the imputation of having shrunk from a high and responsible station, at a time when the situation of Texas was most critical, and its political affairs most difficult. Had I refused being a candidate, I would then have been censured for abandoning, in the time of difficulty, the public affairs of a country, to which I have devoted so many years to built up and bring forward. To place before you in a succinct manner, the nature of the reports spoken of by you, 1 will recall to your mind a few facts in relation to the past. I have been connected with the public affairs of Texas, in one way or another, for fifteen years, and under circumstances, during the whole of that period, the most difficult, perplexing and embarrassing. I was for many years the principal organ of the local administration, and of communication between the settlers of this colony, (who, be it remembered, came direct from a free and well organised government, the United States, with all their political ideas and habits fresh upon their minds,) and the Mexican government, which then was, as it still is, in that state of chaos produced by a sudden transition from extreme slavery and ignorance, to extreme republican liberty. The difficulty of such a position is evident. The dangers of premature and ruinous collusions, produced by a difference of language, forms, laws, habits, &c., were almost insurmountable. The very nature of things opened an almost boundless field for demogogues and personalities, and the country was placed, during the whole of that eventful period, upon a volcano, subject to be ruined by popular excitements on the one hand, or by the jealousy of the Mexicans on the other. I was individually liable to suspicion, and to fancied or real complaints from alJ quarters; and a mark for the shafts of envy, and personal animosity, as well as for the attacks of those who honestly differed in opinion with me, or were misinformed. That period was more difficult and dangerous to the settlement of Texas, and to its ultimate emancipation and liberty, than any which has subsequently threatened, or which now threatens its destinies, for had the colonization failed, there would have been no foundation to plant independence, or any thing else upon.
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