Colonel Mexia delivered to me your communication of the 7th
inst, with a copy of the articles of agreement entered into between
yourself and that Officer.
You request me "to acquaint Colonel Mexia with the actual state
of the insurrection in the colonies, and to consult with him as to
the means of restoreing peace and public order in view of the
preservation of the integrity of the Mexican Territory—the most
important subject that can claim our attention under the Circumstances"
I must in the first place say to you that I am a Mexican Citizen
and will with the most scrupulous fidelity, comply with my duty as
such and as Colonel of the Battalion of Civil Militia of the
Department of Bexar, and if it becomes necessary will cheerfully sacrifice
my life in defence of the constitution and rights of the State and
nation, to which I have the honor of belonging. Seņor Mexia has
officially invited me to accompany him. In compliance to the
communication of His late Excellency the Commanding General, Don
Manuel de Mier y Teran bearing date 25 the ult, your letter, and
Seņor Mexia's invitation, I shall accompany that Gentleman to
Texas although a sea voyage is very injurious to my health, owing
to sea sickness which acts severely on me.
I beg to be allowed to correct a natural error, resulting from an
imperfect knowledge of the State of affairs in Texas, and the
honorable character of its inhabitants, There is no insurrection of the
Colonists against the Constitution and Government, neither do they
entertain ideas endangering even remotely the integrity of the
territory. No portion of the inhabitants have committed any insults
against the Mexican flag, nor will they do so.
It is necessary to take a retrospective view to understand the
cause of the evils that originated the disturbances at Anahuac.
The arrest of the Commissioner of the State of Coahuila and Texas,
Don Francisco Madero by Colonel Davis Bradburn, Commander of
Anahuac— The suspension by military orders of the
Constitutional Ayuntamiento of Liberty—the creation of the
Ayuntamiento of Anahuac by the same power without the authorization or
knowledge of the only Government lawfully competent to do so,
The State of Coahuila and Texas. The arbitrary arrest and
expulsion of several honorable citizens, by Colonel Davis Bradburn—-
The arbitrary intervention of that Officer in preventing an
organization of a company of militia by the Ayuntamiento of Anahuac, and
the arrest of said Officers of said company and finally numberless
acts of despotism perpetrated by that military Commander have
caused the people on the Trinity to believe with reason that there
were no constitution, laws, or guaranty for the protection of person
or property in that section, save the law of might.
The Government of the State did not resist Colonel Bradburns
bold measures as it should have done, and therefore the unfortunate
inhabitants sank into despair, and I suppose pronounced
themselves in favor of Santa Ana whose avowed object is the reign of
the Government and not that of whim and personal caprice.
Consequently if there is an insurrection among the colonists it is for
supporting the constitution and the honor of the Mexican flag, and
not for attacking them.
It has been said that the Colonists have insulted the Mexican
flag; I dare answer that it is false; those who have trampled upon
the constitution, Laws, and guaranties under the authority of that
honored flag are the ones to bear the reproach of the insult, and not
the Mexican citizens who resisted such abuses of power.
All that has been said in regard to dangers for the integrity of
the Territory of Texas, is a mere tale, which serves in ruining the
progress of that unhappy Territory, by creating prejudice amongst
the Mexicans, and disgust among the Colonists, thus disturbing
public peace.
No man who is acquainted with Texas will say or think that it ought
to secede from Mexico, supposing that it were in its power so to do
I am well aware as to what is the true interest of that country, and
know the opinion of the people and therefore I say, that were the
Government to declare that Texas was fiee to secede or not. The
answer of the inhabitants would be, "Let the Constitution of the
nation and State be observed, and we will never consent to such a secession."
I beg to insist on this point in order to enable you to make a
distinction between a lawful opposition to infractions of the Constitu-
tion, and opposition to the Government, dangerous to the integrity
of the territory. Then you will no longer entertain the doubts, and
erroneous ideas expressed in your above mentioned communication,
and the unjust and fatal habit of criminating the Colonists in
general, as has been done heretofore will cease. In every population
there are idle talkers, drunkards, and fools: is it just or politic on
the part of the rulers to denounce the mass because there are some of
that kind ? Is it just or politic to irritate the wise portion of the
community by insulting treatment, and to attribute to them criminal
ideas which they do not nor never did entertain,
I proceed to Texas, not indeed, for preserving the integrity of the
territory which is not endangered, but to do every thing in
my power to calm the exasperation, which undoubtedly existed on
both sides, and that may lead to dangerous extremities, I wish to save
Davis Bradburn if he has not already perished and I will also
interpose all my personal and official influence to uphold the dignity
and constitution of the State of Texas and Coahuila against the
attacks of the military power, and against whomsoever has insulted
it or should attempt to do so.
On these terms I will act. I have expressed some time since, in
writing these sentiments to Colonel Ugartachea and His Excellency
the Governor of the State, and hope that a feeling of justice and a
desire to throw light on the subject will induce you to transmit a
copy of your letter to me, and of this answer to the Supreme Power
of the Nation and of the State of Coahuila and Texas, at the same
time that you will give your instructions in consequence to the
commander at Anahuac. It is, then, understood that we will be
guided in our operations by the Constitution and lights of the
State, and not by Martial Law that the irritation shall be calmed
and the past forgotten, without compelling the Inhabitants to make
public declarations in their defence or against any person. Finally
let the balsam of harmony be poured on all the wounds.
God and Liberty.
Stephen F. Austin.
Matamoras July 10th 1832