a consti I u tional quorum, and they had a presding office whose duly il was lo know the fact, and nol make false certificates lo me, calculated lo deceive, to the injury of the public; and I would permit it no longer. They have taken exceptions, and preferred their charges and specifications, in substance and form, on which I have joined issue. They notified me, if I did not appear in three days, and plead, that the trial would go on before the Council, ex parle; or that I might appear and plead in Convention. I acknowledged Lhe receipt of the charges preferred, and made a demand of Lhe president for a list of the names of the member present, and up to the first of the month, inclusive; for by their own acts, and the testimony of their own body, I expected lo acquit myself of all the charges preferred against me: and that, inasmuch as I had already been condemned by their body, reason would direct the latter alternative, that, as a public officer, I was ever amenable lo my peers, and to none other. They have refused or neglected to furnish lhe list; and instead thereof, the usurper has made a peremptory demand (by his officer, whom he styles a marshal,) of all the archives of my office, and that two hours only were allowed for me to make the delivery. This I view as an unwarranted outrage, amounting to treason: for, I had notified them; that on those very acts I predicated my defence. I appeal, fellow-citizens, not to your sympathies-I appeal for justice; even-handed justice is all I ask at your hands..My acts are open to your investigation. If I have betrayed the important trust, if I have erred, either by ommission or commission, I hold myself amenable to you. If my rights and immunities, as your executive officer, have been insulted and infringed, punished the intruders and aggressors, their counsellors, aiders and abettors, promptly, and restore the legitimate action of the government. This is Lhe second lime I have been interrupted in the regular discharge of my functions as the executive officer of Texas, in the course of a few months: first, by a Mexican, who was prompted lo grasp the reins, and now by an usurper, whose vanity has prompted him lomounl the gubernatorial chair, proclaim himself Governor, and rule the destinies of the country. If these things are permitted to go unpunished, what can we expect but confusion, followed by ruin and disgrace; predatory parties filled out by land and by sea, on the faith, the credit, and, I may justly say, the ruin of the country. The siege of Bejar, with the consequences and subsequent
123
Powered by FlippingBook