Houston v1

WRITINGS OF SAl\•I HOUSTON, 1836

338

impossible to call forth any sympathy from our fellow Mexican citizens and no support is to be expected from this side, and as they let us, the smallest of all the provinces, struggle without any aid, let us then, comrades, sever that link that binds us to that rusty chain of the Mexican Confederation; let us break off the live slab from the dying cactus that it may not dry up with the remainder; let us plant it anew that it may spring luxuriantly out of the fruitful savannah. Nor will the vigor of the descen- dents of the sturdy north ever mix with the phlegm of the indo- lent Mexicans, no matter how long we may live among them. Two different tribes on the same hunting ground will never get along together. The tomahawk will ever fly and the scalping knife will never rest until the last of either one tribe or the other is either destroyed or is a slave. And I ask, comrades, will we ever bend our necks as slaves, ever quietly watch the destruction of our property and the annihilation of our guaranteed rights? NO!! Never! T'oo well I know my people. The last drop of our blood would flow before we would bow under the yoke of these half- Indians. On my journey through the province, I have had op- portunities enough to learn the wishes of our countrymen. All of Texas is for separation. Even some prominent Mexicans, who are living among us, are preaching loudly that we should sever the bond that binds us to Mexico. " Texas must be a free and independent state," is the general word. A general convention of the representatives of the People will be held at Washington on the first of Ma:i:ch of this year. It is the duty of the army to send several representatives; and I hope that my comrades will elect only men who will vote for our inde- pendence, will fearlessly proclaim our separation from Mexico, and what they decide upon, comrades, we will defend with our arms. For a few moments more of your attention I must beg, my friends. There is general complaint about the negligence of the government in supplying the troops with war materials. But to eliminate the cause of this complaint lies beyond the power of the governor. Shiploads are on the sea, and only northwest winds have prevented their running into our harbors. Possibly, even now, they lie safe in the Matagorda Bay, and the citizens will hasten to deliver the cargoes to the army. lEdgar William Bartholomac, A Translation (MS.) of H. Ehrcnbcrg's "Fahrcn und Schicksale eines Dcutschen in Texas," 132-134. No date given.