WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
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The people of Texas were invited to immigrate to this country for the purpose of enjoying equal rights and constitutional lib- erty. They were promised the shield of the constitution of 1824, adopted by Mexico. Confiding in this pledge, they removed to the country, to encounter all the privations of a wilderness, un- der the alluring promise of free institutions. Other reasons operated also. Citizens of the United States had engaged in the Revolution of Mexico in 1812. They fought gallantly in the achievements of Mexican ·independence; and many of them sur- vive, and to this day occupy the soil which their privations and valor assisted in achieving. On their removal here they brought with them no aspirations or projects but such as were loyal to the constitution of Mexico. They repelled the Indian savages, they encountered every discomfort, they subdued the wilderness, and converted into cultivated fields the idle waste of this now prolific territory. Their courage and enterprise achieved that which the imbecility of your countrymen had either neglected or left for centuries unaccomplished. Their situation was not, how- ever, disregarded by Mexico; though she did not as might have been expected, extend to them a protecting and fostering care, but viewed them as objects of cupidity, and, at last, of jealousy. The Texians, enduring the annoyance and oppression inflicted upon .them, remained faithful to the constitution of Mexico. In 1832, when an attempt was made to destroy that constitution, and when you, Sir, threw yourself forward as its avowed champion, you were sustained with all the fidelity and valor that freemen could .contribute. On the avowal of your principles, and, in accordance with them, the citizens put down the serviles of despotism at Anahuac, Velasco, and Nacogdoches. They treated the captives of that struggle with humanity and sent them to Mexico, subject to your orders. They regarded you as the friend of liberty and free institutions; they hailed you as the benefactor of mankind. Your name and your actions were lauded, and the manifestations you had given in behalf of the nation were themes of satisfaction and delight to the Texian patriots. You can well imagine the transition of feeling which ensued on your accession to power. Your subversion of the constitution of 1824; your establishment of centralism; your conquest of Zacatecas, characterized by every act of violence, cruelty and rapine, inflicted upon us the deepest ·astonishment. We realized all the uncertainty of men awakening to reality from the uncon- sciousness of delirium. In succession came your order for the
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