TEX.AS ST.ATE LIBRARY
370
No. 1773 1840 Apr.14, M. B. LAl\IAR, AUSTIN, TEXAS. LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF SANTA FE 8 LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF SANTA FE.
Republic of Texas Executive Department Austin April 14, 1840.
To the Citizens of Santa Fe,
Friends and Compatriots.
You have doubtless heard of the glorious Revolution by which the late Province of Texas has been emancipated from the thraldom of :Mexican domination. That revolution was forced upon us by circumstances too im- perative to be resisted. The Anglo American population of Texas had left the comforts and the enlightened liberty of their own country, and had migrated to this wilderness, under the most solemn guarantees of the Constitution of 1824. We had witnessed many disastrous civil com- motions in the Government of Mexico, and greatly deplored the want of harmony and the frequent convulsions which distracted our adopted country. But we still entertained an illusive hope that a dear bought experience-the lessons of many calamities-would exert harmonizing influence, and teach the authorities of l\Iexico that frequent politicai changes and domestic discords were destructive of the prosperity and character of a people, that Union and Stability were necessary to strength; and peace and harmony to happiness. These hopes, so long and patiently cherished, were finally dis- solved forever, when the Federal Constitution under which we had migrated to the Country and identified our destiny with hers, was forcibly abrogated, and a military despotism reared in its stead. Texag then resolved to be free-to endure no longer the vicissitudes of a fickle and corrupt influence which ·controlled the powers of- Mexico, sub- verting all hopes of her greatness,~and all our native aspirations for tranquility at home, and national respectability abroad. Impelled by these high considerations which a benignant Providence has sanctioned by conferring an unexampled prosperity upon us, we have asserted and achieved our Independence, and have entered the great family of nations as a free and sovereign people. As such we have been formally recognized by the illustrious Governments of the United States, and by the ancient l\Ionarchy of France, and other powers of Europe are ready to extend the right hand of fellowship. Our national resources are in a rapid progress of development; our popula- tion increasing by numerous accessions from Europe and the United States, and our commerce extending with a power and celerity seldom equalled in the history of nations. · Under these auspicious circumstances we tender to you a full par- ticipation in all our blessings. The great River of the North, which you inhabit, is the natural and convenient boundary of our territory,
•t.::opy. In no. 361, p. 214.
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