as I am now compelled to believe has been and no doubt will continue to be practiced by Wharton and a few others. What ought the owners of the soil, the old settlers of Texas, who have redeemed this country from the wilderness and made it what it is, think of men who will collect the signatures of persons on their first landing, who had not been here a day, or only a few days in the country, and attempt to impose a. paper thus signed upon the world as the gpinion of the people of Texas. This has been done here, and a large number of names collected to a paper for declaring indepedence. It is time for the people of Texas to look to their true interest and distinguish between those who serve them in good faith and those who are mere political jugglers and base political intriguers. I am associated in a mission to the United States with a man that I cannot act with-a man whose conduct proves that he is destitute of political honesty, and whose attention is much more devoted to injure me than to serve the country. I mean WHARTON Dr. Archer, I believe, is governed by pure intentions, but he is very wild, as I think as to his politics, and too much inclined to precipitate this country into more difficulties than there is any necessity for. Associated with such men, what have I to expect? or what has the country to hope? The war is now taken beyond the limits of Texas. Why bring it back by adopting such a course as must and will turn all parties in Mexico against us? Will the people of this country suffer thsmselves to be jeopardized in this manner by a few men who attempt to assume their voice? I have given my opinion on these matters in a letter to the Provisional Government, which Col. Fannin takes up, and to which I refer you. (His letter of December 22nd.) The fact is that Texas is now in the hands of a party, and the whole objects of this party are to retain the power and serve themselves. If they are not checked they will saddle the people with a army and a debt, and involve them in a war that will be difficult to bear. The people ought to look to their interest before it is too late. I find that I have but little to expect, that is if l am lo judge of the future by the past few months, and that I can be of but little use to Texas. I go on this mission from a sense of duty. It is a bad example for any one to refuse the call of the people when the country isin difficulty. I have been called to go, and I obey the call; but if party influence and low intrigues and cabals are to govern Texas, 1
316
Powered by FlippingBook