[1583] [AUSTIN to PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT]
Velasco Deer. 22. 1835- The best interests of Texas, I think require that the war should be kept out of this country and beyond the rio grande. On this principle I was in favor of filling out Col Gonzales and did everything I could lo do so. I was, and am in favor of giving to Genl. Mexia and his men what aid we could, and generally of affording assistance to the federal party in the interior by such auxiliary forces as we could spare. I have been and am opposed to any measures that will give lo the central govt. in Mexico any foundation to say that the Texan war, is purely a national war against foreigners and foreign invaders- In short I have thought, and still think that Texas should rigidly adhere to the leading principles of the declaration of 7 Novr. last. By so doing we preserve our character for consistency and good faith. I wiJI here observe, that in my communication to the provisional govt. of 2d instant recommending the convocation of a convention on the basis of equal representation, I objected to the declaration of l Novr. as being liable to [mis] construction. Perhaps I ought to state the exlent and nature of my objection-it is this- The declaration does not declare Texas to be a state of the Mexican confederation, which I think it ought to have done, subject however to all the other provisions and principles established in it- This would have given a fixed and deffinite character to the political position of Texas and concentrated public opinion, and at the same time left her the option of reuniting with Mexico or not hereafter, according as the federal constitution when reestablished conformed or not to the republi- can principles of the federal system, for it is to be remembered that the declaration of Novr. 7 does not adhere to all the anti-republican features and defects of the constitution of 1824, it only adheres to its republican principles and to the federal system. It is well known that the object of the federal party of Mexico at this lime is to reform the constitution of 1824 so as to expunge all its anti-republican principles. Our declaration of 7 Novr. in this respect is therefore in strict conformity with the basis on which the federal party are acting
284
Powered by FlippingBook