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such a way that the Colonists might not feel the effects of a disasterous War; but it is not my fault that they are presumptious, and are on the point of contending with the whole nation, whose pride is so great that she can never yeild lo the dictation of strangers, and will finally chastise the guilty. It is perhaps certain that some Mexicans, whether from private resentment or from private interest, or because no rule is without exception, will co-operate in the revolt of the Colonist; but the nation in general \\~ll oppose it wil.h all her force; and that man must indeed be degraded who would not prefer death lo base compromise. I have not yet given the slightest cause to you, or any one else, lo attribute to me ignoble intentions; on the contrary, I might be accused of weakness, for having taken loo much into consideration, the local interests of those new selllers, who wish lo prosper by going beyond the bounds set by nature herself; for in human affairs to proceed to extremities is to commit excesses to hasten the termination of their exislance. The term made use of by your official communication (lo which I do not reply) of the "Federal Army of Texas" is quite unknown, consider, that in this nation there is no other army than the one to which I belong; that neither has it attacked the form of Government previously mentioned, nor has ·it interfered with the political wars of this Republic. Thal it is desirous of peace, that army has sufficiently shown; but it does not decline to enter into War, inasmuch as that is its profession; and the individuals who compose it have manifesled .from the time of our happy Emancipation, their contempt of dangers, their resignation & enthusiasm in the heat of battle itself. You may infer from this that I will" not receive a white flag; because that would be to acknowledge in a certain manner the existance, of your revolted forces; therefore if the reflections which the perusal of this communication ought to produce should not make a sufficient impression on your mind, you can from this moment continue to carry on, as before, your operations. This shall be the last communication, unless you should subsequently consent to my request of appearing in the character of a peaceable citizen, who ought certainly to be interested, in preventing the Mexicans from making of the· Colonies a signal example. See what I can personally be of service to you, as I remain your attentive servant, who kisses you hand Marlin Perfeclo de Cos
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