San Felipe de Austin July 28th 1832
Most esteemed chief and friend
I suppose that you have received the few lines that I wrote to you
hurriedly from Brazoria. In that letter I manifested the opinion
that under the actual circumstances it was very important for us
all to join the plan of Santa Anna: I will in this letter explain that
idea, and expose the reasons on which I ground it. In the first
place, in regard to this Colony. On my arrival at Brazoria, I met
the whole people unanimous and enthusiastic in favor of the plan
of Santa Anna. They welcomed General Mejia with such rejoicing
and enthusiasm as I had never witnessed in this country. On the
day before in a large meeting they had resolved to persevere in their
adhesion to the plan of Veracruz, and that previous to having heard
of the arrival of Mejia. Under such circumstances, and observing
that the personal feelings against the inhabitants who had not given
their adhesion, and more particularly against the Ayuntamiento
were rather violent, and even gave rise to strong excitement against
some individuals; considering also the situation in which the colony
would be in regard to the division command by Col. Mejia if they
did not pronounce themselves; and finally taking into consideration
that the party of Santa Anna is truly the liberal republican, and
constitutional party, and that it is proper that a strong manifesta-
tion of opinion should be made throughout the Republic in favor
of the plan of Veracruz, as the only means to bring civil war to an
end, and to secure peace and the constitutional liberty of the
Nation. I expressed my opinion to the Ayuntamiento, advising them
to pronounce themselves in order to avoid evils and local
misunderstandings which prove always fatal. A meeting of the
Ayuntamiento took place the day before yesterday, and another yesterday,
of the people, which was well attended, and in which the plan of
Veracruz was unanimously adhered to, the most perfect unison and
harmony prevailing in that expression of the public will. The
resolutions and their preamble contain a true manifestation of the
causes and origin of the difficulties at Anahuac, and of the objects
of those who went to attack Bradburn, in short they offer a
concise history of the whole transaction. It was said by the partizans
of the Cabinet at Matamoras, that the colonists had risen against
the integrity of the territory, and a thousand other false and
imaginary versions.
You may in your visit here have formed a correct idea of the
whole affair, and I am convinced that there was no other object
in view, but to show to the despot John Davis Bradburn, that
there is such a thing as the constitution and State of Coahuila and
Texas. That man was the cause of the whole evil, loss of life, and
misfortune. I assure you most solemnly, that I have not heard,
even from the mouth of the most exasperated, one word against
any Mexican holding an important command, or in office in these
colonies: The complaints are against Davis and Fisher, and most
particularly against the despotic procedings of the first, always
supported by General Teran. Fisher told me at Matamoras, that
the untimely, impolitic, and impracticable order issued by him on
the 24th of November last, in relation to the Navigation of the
Brazos River was dictated by General Teran himself, and cannot
be charged to him, as he did but obey: In such case he has been
very unfortunate, because the whole odium fell on his head. I
assure you also, with the same solemnity, that I have not heard
one single word, that might countenance insinuations, often made
by friends of the Cabinet and enemies of Texas, that the colonists
wished to secede and to declare their independence from the
Mexican Federation. On the contrary, the most intelligent among them,
told me that the late difficulties have convinced them more than
ever, that to think of such a thing would be the ruin of all. My
own and the general wish is, to see Texas forming by itself a State
of the Federation, and as long as it is not so, we can expect no
peace, progress nor government, and in fact nothing.
In answer to the question, what are the causes of the
convulsions in Texas, and why did they declare themselves in favor of
the plan of Veracruz, You may say; that in Texas, there is a
military government, more or less despotic according to the character
and disposition of the commanding officers: that there is a civil
government more or less strong, according to the disposition and
intelligence of the Alcaldes, and Ayuntamientos, and their distance
from a military post, and thus there is no government at all in
several points, excepting that which originates in a mutual
agreement on the part of the people to submit to the decisions of some
persons elected by them: But at the same time, all acknowledge
the authority and laws of the Nation and State: There is not
throughout Texas, one single "Juez de Letras," nor one
"Licenciado." The supreme tribunal of Justice is at Saltillo, a distance
of 300 leagues. The legislature understands neither the situation
nor the wants of Texas, nor can it understand them. The military
powers under the anti-republican anti-liberal administration of
Guerrero's assassins who have extended their iron sceptre over the
nation, since the black cloud of Jalapa appeared, have treated the
government and constitution of the State of Coahuila and Texas
with a complete contempt. If the authorities of the State have
borne such insults, there is no reason why the people should do so.
In short, you may say that Texas needs a government, and that
the best she can have, is to be created a State in the Mexican
Federation. For which we want more population, and to obtain it,
the Article 11th of the law of April 6th 1830 must be abrogated.
The inhabitants of Texas have always had their eyes and hopes
fixed on the authority and Ayuntamiento of the Capital of Bexar,
they with that City, would take the lead in advocating and defending
the interests and rights of Texas. It is the oldest settlement: the
fathers and forefathers of its inhabitants, have conquered the
wilderness and struggled against the Indians. In the years 1820-1821-1822
and 1823, they were reduced to almost the last stage of decline and
suffering, and the whole of Texas was in danger of returning to its
primitive state, to be untrodden by civilized people. The
immigrants did not, and do not believe that Bexar would shut its eyes
to the evils that affect the Country, or would remain contented and
silent, without even representing against the measures that prevent
emigration, and paralyze the progress of the land of their ancestors.
It is now time for it to meet the expectation of the people. Bexar
must speak in a respectful, but firm and decided tone and voice,
fearless of commanding generals, bayonets, ministers, or any body.
Let it adhere to the pronounciamento of Veracruz, urge the whole
of Texas to do the same, and thus unite us under the flag of the
Constitution. Let it represent against the laws preventing
imigration from other countries, request that the above be flung open to
all nations at peace with the Republic. Let it complain of the
maratime tariff, a barbarous contrivance ruinous to agriculture; let
it expose clearly the abuses of the military power, and above all, let
it be the first to urge a separation from Coahuila and the formation
of a seperate State. The character of the people of Texas is
interprizing and decided, they scorn dangers and laugh at obstacles;
therefore if Bexar wishes to be at the head of these people, it must
be decided in its course, it must be Mexico-Texan.
If Bexar will pronounce itself, Nacogdoches will follow, but
otherwise the people of that district will do what they have done here;
they will attack Colonel Piedras, and the whole population will be
up again, and Mexico overflowed with rumors and lies about the
rebellion of the colonists of Texas: All this may be avoided if Bexar
follows the example given by this town and LaBahia Things have
now come to such a pass, that lukewarm measures are ruinous, it
is necessary to adopt a party, and to declare it publicly, otherwise I
apprehend that it would be difficult to avoid difficulties, divisions,
and local ill feeling throughout Texas.
Seņor Mejia left the mouth of the Brazos for Anahuac, and may
thence proceed to Nacogdoches, in which case, the people will join
him in mass. All this may be avoided if Bexar and Nacogdoches
pronounce themselves, and the whole of Texas unites in mass under
the same banner—that of Santa Anna. I have expressed my opinion
to the government of the Nation and that of the State, as well as
to General Santa Anna from Matamoras, with a particular notice
of the slanderous, unjust and Machiavellian lie, of that imaginary
ghost raised by the aristocratic and designing enemies of the
immigration of republican settlers—that the inhabitants of Texas wish
to secede from Mexico. I have also declared that it is impossible
to rule Texas, militarily, and that its peace would be endangered
in proportion to the increase of regular troops, above the sufficient
number for the protection of the frontier from the Indians. Some
friends of the liberal party, asked me at Monterey: What are the
Ayuntamiento and People of Bexar about that they do not manifest
to the nation, the true state of affairs in Texas? Why do they not
represent against article 11th of the law of April 6, 1830, which
opposes so many obstacles to emigration? I write to you with my
accustomed candor, and with the most sincere wishes for the
prosperity and peace of my country, and in these terms I avail myself
of this occasion to give you the assurance of the respect and cordial
friendship of your fellow citizen and friend &c.
Stephen F. Austin