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(1716] [AUSTIN to ROYALL and FISHER]
New Orleans, January 7, 1836.
Messrs. R.R. Royall and S. Rhoads Fisher. Dear Sirs:
I am happy to inform you that the cause of Texas and of liberty stands very high in this city and all over the United States. The spirit of the people is aroused by the evident justice of our cause, and they will sustain us. The univeral wish and expectation in this quarter is that Texas ought to declare herself independent at once. I have always been cautious and unwilling to involve the pioneers and actual settlers of Texas in anything like precipitation. As to the right of Texas to declare herself absolutely independent, I have no doubt; none can possible exist; but, when I left home, I was not fully satisfied that we should be sufficiently sustained. Information received here has satisfied me on this subject. The people of Texas in future need not hesitate to declare inde- pendence, from any doubts about being sustained; and, as for myself, I am willing to go into the measure, and believe we ought to do it without delay. At the last accounts Santa Anna had left Mexico and was rapidly marching on to Texas. He had reached San Luis Potosi. S. F. Austin (1717) [AUSTIN to RUSK] Col. T. J. Rusk New Orleans Jany-7-1836 You, and I believe all persons in Texas, are fully appraised of the basis on which I have acted in the contrct now pinding with the Central govt. of Mexico- wl~ch is resistance t~ unconstit1;1tional encroachments-defense of our rights- and the ultimate organization of a free & independent government tor Texas. As to the two first I have been ready to hazard all-everythmg- There was no other course Dr Sir,
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