provisionally, until the authorities of the state of Coahuila and Texas could be restored. This measure was absolutely necessary to save the country from anarchy; for it was left without any government at all, owing to the dispersion and imprisonment of the executive and legislative authorities, by the unconstilu tional intervention of the military power. Some individuals were also in favor of independence, though no public meeting whose proceed- ings I have seen, expressed such an idea. We have seen the consequence of these conflicting opinions, in the declaration made by the consultation, on the 7th of the last month. It is not entirely positive and definite in its character. Whether or not the crisis in which Texas is now placed, can be met and sufficiently provided for, by a position which admits of construction in its application, is a matter of opinion; as for myself, I believe it cannot. The character of the struggle in which Texas is engaged, is now clearly developed; it evidently is one of life or death, "to be, or not to be." It is no longer a mere question about the forms of political institutions; it is one of ·self-preservation. Texas is menaced with a war of extermination: the government of Mexico has so proclaimed it. The people now understand their situation, and consequently are much better prepared to elect public agents.... to provide against such a danger, than they were at the time of the last election. At that time the form of government was not changed by any act which had the influence or the character of law; it now is by the decree of the 3rd of October last. At that time the state government existed; at this, no such thing as a state exists, not even in name. The decree of the 3rd of October has converted them into departments, without any legislative powers whatever, and entirely subject to the orders of the president and central government in Mexico. Again, the representation in the consultation was very unequal, a principle that should be cautiously avoided, so far as practicable, in a body that is lo settle the political destinies of a community where all are equally interested. The consultation, foreseeing that such a crisis as the present might arrive, has very wisely provided for the calling a convention by the provisional government; and I am clearly of opinion it ought to be done with the least possible delay.
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