District of Teneha, Texas,
November 30th 1832.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 18th, current came [to] hand late last evening.
The one you mention as giving an account of our "political
situation," has not been received, nor any other except the one of the 18th.
Rumor is busy with her thousand tongues, but we know nothing
of the interior, not even whether Mr. Wharton is gone or not.
Our military elections are in a very unpleasant situation, and the
sub committee of this district have wrote to the Chairman of the
central committee on the subject; but we are fearful that he has
not as yet received the letter.
I am told that there is an opportunity of forwarding this letter
by a Mr Burk provided it is at the Big Road by twelve of the
clock to-day, but for this I should have taken your letter down and
conversed with some of the principal citizens in the Aysh District
on the subject of it before I wrote you an answer. But as it is, I
will with pleasure give you my opinion fully and frankly "that I
think the Americans in these three districts would gladly embrace
the project of uniting with the people of Bexar and the rest of
Texas in forming a provisional government on the basis that Texas
is a part of the Mexican confederation, and will so remain and that
we are all Mexicans and will rigidly procet [protect] all the rights
and interests of Mexico. ["]
The idea of a separate, distinct, and independent government I
do not believe exists in the mind of any man of common sense in
the district. Nor do they want to belong to the United States of
the North, there are some fiew exceptions to this last opinion, but
not many, scarsely one to ten.
They have come to the country to participate of the benefits of
the Mexican Independence, and of their liberal policy in regard to
land, and they wish to continue so. The idea of Texas being
independent and forming a nation is absurd. The very expenses of
supporting the Government could they have it, would render them
the most oppressed people. Besides their weakness would invite
aggression.
They want a provisional Government—they want a judiciary—
the present system is little or no protection to their persons or
property.
I will write you more at large on this subject, but at present am
in such fear of loosing the opportunity of conveyance, that I am
not able to write as I other wise would.
I hope you will continue to write and give me an account of the
political complection of the interior.
Be pleased to direct your letter to me at Teneha to be left at
Mr Philip Sublet's Big Road. Ayish District.
Be so good as to present my respects to Mr. Williams.
J. Harrison
Colonel S. F. Austin