July 22 1836 to Sep 23 1836 - PTR, Vol 8

coming here, is one of policy, and will rather be favorable to foreign creditors Lhan otherwise, for the condition of cmiaranls • 0 must improve with their continuance in the country; and the stipulation that all ordinances of confiscations shall be rcpectcd, is profitable to whatever Governments may exist, as the quantity of public land will be augmented by the eschcals from private hands. But the desire of the people Lo be admitted into our confederacy is so prevailing Lhal any conditions will be acceptable which will include Lhe guaranty of a republican form of government, and will not impair the obligations of contracts. The old settlers are composed, for the most part, of industrious farmers, who are tired of Lhe toils of war, and are anxious lo raise up Lheir families under Lhe auspices of good laws, and leave them Lhe inheritance of a safe and free government. If we were permitted-Lo view Lhe future condition of this country under a continuance of present circumstances, or under those which must attend it as a part of Mexico, where it would remain subject to military despotism, and be kepl back, like her own subjects, in Lhc scale of civilization, for ages; and then compare it with the high station il would reach in industry, commerce, the arts, and social relations, under the annexation to our country; humanity would speedily dictate her redemption, and the philanthropy of nations give a sanction Lo the act. the constitution has been very liberal in the appropriation of lands, and has placed the citizens who were living in the country at the dale of the declaration of independence upon a footing with the old colonists, giving lo every head of a family one league and labor, and to every single man, of the age of seventeen and upwards, one-third of a league. The same instrument has been careful in protecting the State from large grants made to various individuals, some of whom were non-residents and aliens. The public sentiment seems to be in accordance with those provisions, as they exclude large monopolies, which, il is said, have been illegally acquired without consideration and against the laws of colonization. The Legislature of Coahuila and Texas passed acts in 1834-35, granting away, to a few persons, eleven hundred leagues of land; all of which, and every survey under them, are declared Lo be null and void. The 4th article of the laws of colonization forbids the settlement of the "ten lateral leagues" 011 the coasts, and of the

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