and though I have the utmost confidence in the firmness and bravery of our countrymen yet it is drawing too heavily on that confidence, to be willing to risk a general engagement, on which so much depends against such fearful odds. They have the numerical strength. They have artillery, cavalry, muskets, bayonets, lances, against all these you present a band (brave perhaps lo a fault) of untrained militia, with such arms only as could be procured in the immediate emergency. The case being thus, I give it as my decided opinion, that an engagement ought not to be risked, unless success is next to certain. Maj Smith shewed me a post script in which you express a desire lo see me. At this particular crisis it would probably be unadvisable for me to leave. By your next express you can command me as l can then leave with propriety. You will be pleased lo accept my assurances of highest
regard
W H. Jack [Addressed:] Stephen F. Austin Commander of Texas
Army.
[845) [NEW ORLEANS MEETING]
[Meeting at New Orleans October 13, 1835] William Christy, esq. was called lo the chair, and James Ramage, esq. appointed secretary, after which a committee was nominated to draft resolutions. During the retirement of the committee, -Messrs. Fisher and Gustave Schmit addressed the meeting. Mr. Fisher slated that he had recently been exiled from Mexico. He had formerly been a citizen of the United States, but had resided for ten years in Mexico, where he had formed extensive connexions, mercantile and otherwise-he had lately edited a journal in Matamoras, but in consequence of having made some free remarks on passing events, has was ordered to leave Mexico in three days. He stated that there are three parties at present in Mexico-one composed of the clergy and military who are for a consolidated government under a triumvirate form with Santa Anna, Bravo and Lucius Alaman al its head-another composed of liberals who desire lo retain the fcdcral rcpul,lic, as fixed by. the consitution of 1824-and a third in favor of
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