[2042) [WHARTON to SMITH]
Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 7, 1836 Dear Sir.-1 have been here four or five days, confined to my room with a cold and wretched cough. My physician is apprehensive of serious consequences, but I am not. I left Archer and Austin in New Orleans, to wind up some business connected with the loan. They were to have been here several days ago and are, l fear, ice bound in the Ohio, below the mouth of Cumberland. All traveling is suspended, both by land and water, on account of roads and ice. The Mississippi and Louisiana Senators find it impossible to get to Washington for the present. I have written on to the pres\dent and to my friends in both houses, explaining to them our Texas affairs. 1 have also printed a pamphlet (one of which I send you,) signed Curtius, and sent one to Washington and to various editors. Mexico has remonstrated with this government on account of the volunteers going to Texas. But the French question absorbs everything else. It is unfortunate for Texas that her concerns came on the carpel simultaneously. They will not receive as prompt allention. 1 long much for the meeting of the next convention in Texas. Everything depends upon the harmony, promptitude and wisdom of their movements. I hope, sincerely hope, that our perilous situation has drowned everything like personal or party feeling. We are madmen, if we do not at least for the present, and I trust forever, forget all such bickerings and contentions. I suppose, of course, the convention will declare for absolute independence. I should be half distracted if I thought they would not. The vote of the body should be taken on whether they prefer remaining independent or being attached lo the United States. 1 prefer the latter a thousand to one. The declaration should be explicit, and we should receive timely notice of it, with instructions, if we are to remain here in commission, from the government. After the million loan is accomplished I should think one of us might return to Texas, for a time at least. But do with us as you please. I should prefer my present to any other post. l will have nothing to do with the Executive post, and wish it so understood.
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