acted, based on Lhe prosperity of Texas, and if events have shown I was subject lo an error in Lhe views I look of the expedient course, - have only been subject lo that, to which a thousand have been subject, before me. Man is made to err. - If mv motives were bad if the public believe me a traitor lo my fellow ~ountrymen, then i~ the ebloquy and odium thrown upon me, just - but if [illegible] nor involved in specudlation, if l have been devoted more to the public than my private interests and remain still no wise improved in my pecuniary condition; if no act can be shown in which I have evinced a wish lo sacrifice the public welfare for any consideration during my residence in the country, why doubt what I solemnly assure my fellow-citizens, that whatever sophistry may make of the case, the prosperity of Texas was the motive under which I acted, and if I erred in my politics, it is out of my power lo do more, than to acknowledge the fault. Events have shown what ordinary prudence and foreight could not have anticipated, and if all considerations but the force of propriety ahne were put aside, not no American would be by myself voluntarily given up to the new government. To say the least, our relations with it are equivocal at present, and if under the Federal system, crimes and punishment bore but Jillie proportion to each other, what must not be expected from a system of Despotism. (Texas is now at issue with the Mexican Government whatever it is, and till a convention shall determine what is lo be clone, the policy of every man is open and his opinion is his only law on the subject.) But it is to be hoped that these relations will soon be established more definately; if not, and at every evolualion of opinion, those who have chanced to have placed their ideas on paper, or in any manner have acted on them are to be declared infamous by those who having entertained the same notions themselves have yet not thus committed themselves, but float with the current, then where is the man who will dare do his duty. It has been told me that the named individuals are highly incensed - I regret that they, as part of the community, should be dissatisfied with my conduct, to satisfy the public mind I am willing to make exertions. To them as individuals, 1 would say, Gentlemen you claim the right of forming your _respective opinions, _of expressing them fearlessly, and of aclmg on them; exercise magnanimity enough lo grant me also that right. Originally that you were wantonly involving the country in a ruinous war, and that holding you amenable to the laws and const_i~uli~n which ~ou were charged with violating, would produce _pac1f1ca!1on, 1 adv1~ed th?t you he ordered. In this opinion l was fixed. 1 smccrely believed 111
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