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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
No. 2382 1848 Apr. 8, M. B. LAMAR, LAREDO, TEXAS, TO JOSE MARIA RAMON AND OTHERS, [LAREDO, TEXAS] 14 Laredo, Webb County, Texas. April 8, 1848. Jose Ma. Ramon, Barcilio Benevides and Jose Ma. Gonzales-Town Commission- ! have received your letter of last night. I reply to its contents briefly, because I cannot write your language with ease. I cannot accept your :Excellencies' proposal with regard to the treafy made in Mexico City, in so far as it refers to reviving the authority, since it is expressed only in the Mexican Republic, and not in Texas. Texas extends from the Sabine to the Rio Grande, and no portion within these limits has belonged to Mexico since the year 1836, when Texas won her independence. Why, then, do your Excellencies desire to extend the Mexican laws over her territory? Why should you be so quick to vindicate the claims of Mexico against those of Texas? The Government of Mexico has not employed you to sustain itl'I rights; it pays you nothing for your assistance; and the vindication of its cause cannot benefit the town . of Laredo. F'or more than twelve months the inhabitants here have been co.ntented and happy. Their personal rights have been protected and their families have been defended from the Indians, and your Ex- cellencies cannot deny that they have enjoyed the greatest liberty, pros- perity and peace under the laws and institutions of the United States. Why, then, do your Ex<"ellencies wish to change this order of things, and what benefit do you hope to obtain for the town by the change? The citizens have not manife11ted any dis<"ontent to me, and I cannot perceive any reason or necessity for again uniting them to the laws of Mexico. No good <"an result from such a measure. In view of all the circumstances, I am sorry that it is my duty to state that you can never realize your desires for the re-estnblishment of the author- ity· of Mexico on this Ride of the Rio Grande. I have often told you this truth. Such a thing is impossible. Whatever you may believe to the contrary, Mexico h'as lost Laredo forever. It can never be re- united to that country, and al1 your desires in this respect are useless, (if not something worse). Permit me, then, not to encourage vaiu hopes and desires which cannot be realized.- The inhabitants of Laredo cnn <'hoose one of three things: they can submit to the laws of the United States: they can leave the coun- try; or they can take up arms; and which of these courses is the best? In my mind it is evident. If they adopt the first, great good will result to them and to their children; but if, contrary to reason an~ experience, they should choose the last, then inevitably a thousand misfortunes will flow, and they will approach their total destruction. Therefore, as a friend, I find myself compelled to tell you not to listen to the adYice of the mandatories of Mexico any more. They will involve you in difficulties, but they cannot extend to you any relief
"A. Df. S. Spanish.
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