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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
of Austin- I beg your Excellency will direct that I be informed, at Philadelphia, of the result of this application- With Sentiments of high respect, I have the honor to be Your Excellency's Obt Servt. CYnus Joy [Addressed:] His Excellency M. B. Lamar President of the Republic of Texas- City of Austin [Endorsed:] Cyrus Joy, :May 1st. 1840.
No. 1801. SILVANUS HATCH TO LAMAR
Jackson County [Texas] May 5th 1840
To Genl. M. B. LAMAR
President of the Republic of Texas
Sm Permit me to call your attention again to the Subject of a letter which I addressed to you about the first of April last, in relation to a runaway Slave, who has been for some time with the Federal Army. Capt Hagler informed me that after reading my Jetter you directed him to present it at the State Department and request the attention of the secretary of State to it. He informed me that he did so, and that when he called at the State ·Department on the next day the Sec- retary informed him that any demand from that department would be unnecessary, saying a demand from the nearest Judicial authority would be quite sufficient. I do not doubt that this would be sufficient au- thority for me to take my slave if I can find her and should meet with no opposition in apprehending her from the Federal Soldiery. But allow me to say that I am sufficiently acquainted with the Mexican character to know that a demand from any but the highest authority of the Government would have no effect on them whatever. I there- fore solicit you again to make a demand of President Cardinez and Genl. Canales to deliver up my slave, who can be identified, and who is bound to me, not only by the right of property, but who is also bound to me by indenture in the same manner that slaves are held in Mexico. The Federals being reduced to the desperate extream which they are, and being entirely dependent on Texas for their extrication from their present difficulty, I am satisfied that any demand or re- quest made by yourself of the President or Genl. Canales, would be promptly attended to. And when they are convinced of the advan- tage it will be to their cause to deliver, or shew a willing to deliver up or apprehend any runaway negroes that may be among them, I am satisfied they will take active measures to assist me in regaining my slave. Please to enclose your communication under envelope to me _at Texana, addressed to the President and Genl. Canales both, as I may see one and not the other. Your early attention to this request will confer a signal favor on your sincere friend and Most Obedient Servt SILVANUS HATCH
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