I expect the proceedings of our meeting in Albany and in
this mornings papers.
A. J. Yates
[Addressed:] Gen. Stephen F. Austin Commissioner of Texas Washington City [3058]
lDEWEES to CORDELLO]
Columbus, Texas May 15, 1836. Dear Friend:-1-Iappy, indeed, ought I lo be in being permitted once more to address you. Since I have seen you, long years have passed away, and Time has brought upon me carking cares. I lillle dreamed when I last stood by your side and received from you a parting blessing, that it would be my lot to pass through so many and such varied changes. How little do we know what is before us. My path has been through storms and strife ever since I first landed in Texas. While young in years, Texas has been cast upon her own resources. Sixteen years ago there was no white settlement in this beautiful country. Now we have freed ourselves from the rod of oppression and established our own independence. In October of last year each jurisdiction selected two delegates to be sent to San Felipe de Austin for the purpose of advising ways and means for the safely of Texas and the prosecution of the war. These delegates apointed a General Council, who selected Henry Smith Governor, and James W. Robinson Lieutenant Governor, of Texas. The Governor and Council formed, what was termcd,the Provisional Government of Texas, which was estahlished Nov. 13, 1835. The first act of any importance passed by the Provisional Government was the suspension of the functions of all Land Commissioners, Empresaries, Surveyors, and all persons concerned in the location of land. But now comes a period of painful interest in the history of our beloved land; this was truly a "Lime that tried men's souls." We had not only the l\'lcxicans lo contend with, but now, as if to humble us, and lead us to not put confidence in ourselves, there was a rupture broke out between our own people, whom it should
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