left us- As lo the last, you know that I have been very cautious, and unwilling by any act of mine to involve the people of Texas in any measure which I deemed precipitate or premature, or which might load them with a greater burden than their situation and means would enable them to bear. They have already sufferd enough in redeeming that country from the wilderness- What they have acquired has cost them very dear, and I have conscienciously believed, that I should have failed in my duty towards them, had I contributed to jeopardise them, before I knew and was satisfied that they could sustain themselves- This consideration for the pioneers and actual Settlers of Texas influenced me to oppose an immediate declaration of independence You will percieve by the letter I wrote you from the lVIouth of the Brazos, that I was not then in favor of precipitate measures Since my arrival here, the information I have received has placed the Subjict in a different light- We can get all the aid, and support we need to sustain our independence, and even to take the war if necessary into the heart of Mexico- on the other hand, the federal party have done nothing in the interior to aid us, but are marching on with Santanas troops to invade us, as appears by information from Mexico up to late in December- Our present position is an equivocal one and does not give to us that confidence here, which a declaration of abislute independence would- As to our right, to declare independence I have no doubt- and never had- it is clear & unquestionable-The only question has been, & now is one of expediency- There are other very weighty reasons in favor of a declaration of independience at once, which I cannot now State- In Short- I now believe that the time has come for Texas to resort to her natural rights and organise an Independent Govt.- and that it ought to be done by the next Convention- I of course form this opinion from the information now before me on this Subjict-I know not what news you may have red. in Texas from the interior, or what bearing it ought to have on this question- of this the convention alone can judge after maturely weighing the whole Subjict. It is impossible to give you a correct idea of the enthusiasm which prevails in this city, and all over the U.S. in favor of Texas- Thousands are ready and anxious to embark in our cause, and carry the war into the heart of Mexico- There was a very large meeting last night of the citizens of N. 0. in favor of Texas- it was enthusiastic in the extreme, and favorable for N. Oleans and for Texas-
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