326
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1839
they had for the time all the power- there was no other govern- ment or authority recognized in the country. They borrowed money on the faith of the nation - procured arms and muni- tions of war -granted letters of marque and reprisal, and did all other things incident to supereme power; the nation had · ratified their acts, and they had all the binding solemnity of laws now passed in the regular way. But he should endeavor to show before he got through with hi_s remarks that the rights of the Cherokees did not depend altogether upon that pledge, but that they had existed many years antecedent to that date. He did not know that the people intended to confer on them supreme power when the members of the consultation were chosen: he was not in a section of the country where the most excitement prevailed and was among a people who were not then the advocates for war - they believed the question was pre- mature, and that it would be well to put it off a little longer. The members were elected to confer together - and devise the best means of diverting Mexican oppression. It was not known whether they would adopt the peaceful course of setting forth their grievances in a memorial, or whether they would adopt a stronger measure. But before they met at San Felipe, the question had assumed a different aspect - the armies of the two countries had met in mortal combat - there had been blood spilt at Gonzales, and the volunteer army was before the walls of Bexar. In this situation they had but one course left - that course they adopted, and a nation's deliverance was the conse- quence of their labors. It was the emergency of the case, which made them take so bold a stand, and the nation recognized and legalized their acts. At Bexar a consultation of officers was called - Stephen F. Austin and William H. Wharton were there, with many of the choicest spirits of Texas. Dr. Branch T. Archer and William H. Jack addressed the army - and all unanimously decided that it was necessary for the delegates to repair to San Felipe, not to declare the independence of the country, but to establish a provisional government. It was a time of gloom - and" coming events cast their shadows before." He well recollected that men who could not be moved by fear scarcely ever smiled. They knew a crisis was approaching, and though they might have had all confidence in the ultimate triumph of the Anglo Saxon race, -they feared the c9ntest might be long and bloody. They ':ith a population of scarcely 30,000 souls, without money, without
' '
' '
I 1 I t l
Powered by FlippingBook