TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
on Sugar, for by that an increased value would be given to the lands; but the mass of the inhabitants are consumers, and consequently desire every description of manufactures as cheap as they ca.n be afforded, and will naturally desire that this state, on the question of protection, should join her sister states of the South and West, who are for a reduction of duty to the revenue standard. · It has been suggested to me that there exists an opposition to me on account of the result of my mission in J\Iexico in 1843 in conjunction with Col. Hockley, it being generally believed that the commissioners exceeded or did not follow their instructions. I think that every can- did and unprejudiced mind will cease to entertain such opinions by referring to the origin of the mission. The government of Mexico never did propose nor agree to receive commissioners from the Re- public of Texas; and the proposition made by that government through the English Minister at Mexico, was clear and explicit that they would receive commissioners only upon the basis and plan proposed by the government of Mexico, upon which position Col. Hockley and myself were appointed. Thus the government of Texas was obliged either to refuse the overture, or accept it, turning a deaf ear, or passing over unnoticed, the term of revolted province or department, as Texas was styled in the proposals for an armistice. The commissioners were re- quired to exert themselves to produce a cessation of hostilities with a hope that future negotiation, to be carried on at the Capitol of Mexico might be productive of more favorable propositions, and lead to the acknowledgement of the Independence of Texas. The commissioners were required to exert themselves as best they might to produce delay, and if possible gain time so that Mexico through the interest of the government of England might be induced to receive a mission from Texas to negotiate for its independence; for the government of Texas would not proceed beyond the mere effort to create an armistice on account of the nature of the propositions presented through the agency of the English Minister. The commissioners had agreed with the Mexicans commissioners, upon an armistice under the approbation of Gen. Woll- which was honorable to 'rexas.- Gen. Woll only dissenting to the requisition of the Texas commissioners that the military posts of Laredo and Brassos Santiago should be abandoned. The negotiation entered into by the government of the U. S. and Texas for annexation procluced a very hostile feeling in J'IIexico toward Texas and the U. S.; the commis- sioners were looked upon as endeavoring to further that negotiation by entraping Mexico into an armistice, and were obliged to leave niex- ico without effecting any thing favorable; and by signing the docu- ment presented by the Mexican government did not exceed their in- structions or place the government and people of Texas in a worse position than the precise position both occupied at the time they set forth on their mission, for, as before mentioned, they were not ap- pointed by any agreement on the part of Mexico to receive commis- sioners from the Republic of Texas but solely on propositions presented. To the Settlers within the limits of what was Austin's Colonies, I have to say that I trust they will recollect olden times, and grant me the pleasure of their votes; and to the inhabitants of the West I con- fidently refer, as my feelings and my opinions have always been in their
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