WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1847
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repelled. They possessed the country. They reclaimed the wilder- ness, and it became cultivated fields, producing happiness and prosperity for civilized man. In this situation Texas found her- self. Her inhabitants were industrious, moral, and honest. They were sworn to support the Constitution of 1824, and they sub- mitted to every inconvenience that could be required of them. In this situation they remained until 1834, when, as a State, they desired to obtain a constitution, and enjoy the rights of representa- tion under the constitution of 1824. But when they respectfully petitioned for their rights, and formed a constitution in con- formity with the constitution of Mexico, and sent a legate for that purpose, he was incarcerated for months, and for years they were set at defiance. In the meantime the constitution of 1824 was by the usurper Santa Ana, after successive convultions, sub- verted, and a dictatorial government substituted in its stead. In this the people of Texas were quiescent. They were sub- missive-and why? They hoped to see the restoration of the constitution of 1824. They expected to see the power of the tyrant destroyed, and that they should again enjoy their liberties. They were willing to endure the inconveniences which arose from the convulsive throes of the military despots who succeeded each other, even to the last _extremity. But that was not sufficient. They were known to be an enterprising people. They had made an impress on Mexico, and on her beautiful prairies. They had made an impress that would never be effaced while human intelligence was permitted to stalk abroad in the earth, or its benign influence be felt in those verdant spots of nature. Mexico saw they were an enterprising people, and that they were loyal and law-abiding; and the despot determined to subjugate them to his will. Not only had he oppressed them, but he incarcerated their representative. Those who escaped returned to Texas, and proclaimed their wrongs, but the people were loyal to the consti- tution, though not to the Government. They did not renounce Mexico, but in firm remonstrance, they invoked an indulgence in their rights. The tyrant resolved to subjugate them, though no act of rebellion had been committed; but they repelled his armies. With a well-appointed and numerous army, he resolved on the annihilation of Texas, and their extermination from the earth. There was not one who uttered the English accent that he intended should remain west of the Sabine, unless it might be one who would consent to be his supple tool, and conspire against the rights of his country.
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