Texas has solemnly declared her principles in the declaration of the 7th November last, made by its representatives, and has called God lo witness Lhe sincerity and purity of her intentions. The people of Texas could nol.have acted in any other manner, and every freeman would have done the same who appreciates his own dignity and was able Lo resist slavery. Texas was left without any government, owing lo the imprisonment and dispersion of the Executive and Legislative authorities of the slate by the military Centralists, and every thing was rapidly falling inlo anarchy and ruin. IL certainly was not Lhc fault of the Texians Lhal this slate of things existed. They were living in peace when the revolutionary flame reached their homes, their situation may be compared to that of a peaceful village Lha.L is suddenly assailed by a furious hurricane, which menaces ruin and death, from which the inhabitants seek safely by any means in their power, without being in any manner censurable for the impending danger, nor for trying lo shield themselves from its effects. The truth is, that a storm which originated elsewhere, threatened to involve them in its desolating ravages. They wish to save themselves as they have a right to do, by the law of nature. Faithful lo their oaths, they wished to defend the conslilulion, and for this their enemies have declared a war of exterlerminalion against them, and are trying to deceive the liberal Mexicans with false reports that their objects are different from those expressed in the before-mentioned declaration. God knows this to be a malicious calumny, circulated for the purpose of consolidating centralism, by trying Lo unite the Federalists in· ils ranks against their friends Lhe Texians. Very dearly indeed have the Texians acquired their homes in this country, which bul a short time since was a wilderness infested by hostile indians. It is jusl and natural thal they should wish Lo preserve them, in conformity with I.he guarantees of the Federal compact under which they were acquired. It is equally so, Lhal they should obey the first law which God has stamped upon Lhe heart of man civilized or savage, which is self-preservation. The Texians have therefore taken up arms in the defence of their constitutional rights, in fulfilment of their duties lo the Mexican confecleralion and of lhe mosl sacred obligations to themselves. They have organized a Provisional local Government, to
145
Powered by FlippingBook