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the credi~ of tl_1eir country they sought to avert it. Personal feelings and cons1deration were abandoned. But the time had arrived when all communication was to cease between the departments, unless they would surrender to him the entire government, perjure themselves, and publish their perjury to the world, and swear that ~hey_ ~ad betr~yed the interests of their countrymen, in not yielding implicit obedience to the will of Governor Smith. What could the Council do? He had shut the door of his office; it was, in effect, vacant: He had denied the authority that created it; and as the guardians of the people's interests, they were compelled to proceed with the transaction of business, recognizing, according to law, the Lieutenant-Governor, as the acting Governor; elected a President of their body pro tern.; and as in duty bound, they have preferred charges of impeachment against Governor Smith, for the manifest injuries and difficulties he has endeavored to bring upon his country; that country which raised him to the high and responsible station of her Governor. Yes, the Council met the occasion firmly. Base perjury would have stamped her seal upon their acts, if they had flinched. And while the armies are abroad in the defern::e of our beloved land, from the invasion of a foreign foe, they WIii ever guard and protect her from the insidious macl~inations of ~er internal foes, and wiII deserve the just condemnation and lastm_g reproach of their countryment, if ever in danger, they desert their post. John McMullen, President, pro tern. of the General Council. Wyatt Hanks Alexander Thompson E. Collard Jes.5e Burnham John Malone J. D. Clements R. Jones Claiborne West
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R.R. Royall D. C. Barrett
Council Hall, San Felipe de Austin, Jan. 11, 1836
475
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