[2077) [CHILDRESS to HOUSTON]
San Felipe Feb. 13th 1836
My Dear Sir,
Upon my arrival here, yesterday, I was extremely disap- pointed that you had passed through this place, about ten clays since, for Nacogdoches, as I was desirous to have met you in this Section of the Country. I shall, however, have the pleasure of seeing you at Washington, on the first of March, as I learn, here, with great pleasure, that you are returned a member of the Convention from Refugio. I also am a member from the upper Brasos Country (Robertson's Colony) so that l shall have the pleasure of endeavour- ing to assist you in your patriotic exertions to found a great and new republic in this country. I am also gratified to learn that you are in favor of a Declaration of Independence as l am fully convinced that this step aught forth with to he taken. It is, you know, a mere question as to the expediency, as to the time when the severance from the Mexican Government shall take place, for we never, in fact and in truth, intend to come under that Government. again. The contest for the Constitution of 1824 was, you know, but a mere pretence from the beginning, and the idea that a strong liberal party would join us in the Interior, in behalf of the Constitution, was, in my opinion, a mere delusion, for althou·gh the contest has now existed for near six months still no decisive menifestation has yet been made by any considerable part of the Mexican nation in our favour. the fact is, you know Sir, they are but a semi-civilized set, unfit to be free and incapable of self government. I am, therefore, for an absolute and immediate Declaration of Independence. - and so is Col. Robertson, the other member from my Municipality. Whilst we are a rebellious province of Mexico, contending, (or pretending to contend) for a Constitu- tion which never had an existence, but on paper, we have neither a National faith to pledge nor a Public Domain to offer as security to those nations and capitalists who may be disposed to offer us assistance in carrying on the contest; whereas a Declaration of Independence, by giving us existence as a nation, will enable us to obtain that foreign aid we stand so much in need of. As to the Mexicans, no party emong them have any feeling or interest in common with us, they will all be united against us whatever shape the Contest takes and they will drive us from the Country if they can. Such, at least, Sir, are my views of the matter, but J would he gald to be advised of yours, as they would, in this matter, as in all
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