which the whole system is based, in defending any character from calumny and abuse, viz: "Thal all men, (whether governors or private citizens) are by nature free and equal, and that among their natural and absolute rights, is that of preserving their reputations from slander and delraclion." With these assurances of my rights, and a consciousness that those rights· imperatively demand it, 1 cannot refrain from noticing the closing sentence of the extract, which is as foUows: "Having lived since my first settlement in the country contiguous to the sea coast, and frequently called upon in· an official capacity to extend protests and other documents relative to wrecked vessels, I am well aware of the intrigue, management, and downright roguery which has been universally practised by the unprincipled speculators, and always to the great injury and frequently total ruin of the unfortunate, without having it in my power to remedy Lhe evil, which makes me the more solicitous that your honorable body give the subject that allention which it justly merits." Happy had it been for the lilloral residents of Texas, had the early sympathies of his excellency found vent through the medium of a public newspaper, which at Lhal time was published in Brazoria, the theatre of his observation, and thrice happy had it been for them could intelligence have been transmitted lo the proper tribunals for the adjustment of such mallers, that a recurrence of similar events might be prevented. The "monstrous horrendum" which now stares us in the face, might then have been crushed in its infancy, and a simple annunciation, which for years has kept pace and grown with his excellency's dignities, might have spared the simple and unoffending citizens of .Matagorda, and all other ports of Texas, the universal denunciation contained his excellency's message. Accompanied with the message, and from the same source, I received, as I before observed, a copy of a letter addressed by colonel Fannin to the Governor and Council. I did nol wish to tax your patience with the following remarks in answer to that gentleman; but as he has, in a most pains-taking manner, assumed to himself the duties of an inquisitor on our coast, and ferreted out, through every vile and filthy channel, the base and false accusations trumped up in that letter, I will here insert a copy of a communicalion, the original of which I had intended to have directed to him personally. It is well that the people, who will soon, no doubt, be made cognizant to the whole
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