Austin to Samuel M Williams
[From Williams Papers, Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Tex.]
Bexar 6 December 1832
S.M.W.
Dr Sir, I arrived here on the 3 inst—yesterday there was a
meeting of the principal citizens—that is the Chief—Erasmo [Seguin]—
the Navarros—Col. Elosua—Balmaceda—Flores—Garza etc, and I
gave them an exact discription of the evils that are retarding the
progress of Texas. Stated in plain terms the necessity of
separating from Coahuila, and the desire of the people generally to do so—
and said everything I could to induce them to concur in taking that
step at once.
The matter was discussed and talked over with great calmness
and interest. There was not a dissenting voice as to the necessity of
a remidy and all agreed that a separation from Coahuila was the
best, but they thought it precipitate to take that step before any
representations of our grievances were made to the Govt. This they
considered a necessary preliminary step. Finding that they would
not agree to go into the meas[ure] [before] the intermediate step of
representing had been resorted to, I urged the absolute importance
of proceeding immediately to take that step, by the Ayuntamto of
this place—that All the grievances should be plainly and firmly
stated, and that the remonstrance should terminate with a positive
declaration that if our grievances were not fully redressed by the
first day of March next, Texas would then proceed immediately to
organize a local Government—they agreed to this, but thought March
too short a time and April was proposed and I think will be agreed to.
The conference was unofficial, of course,—it lasted from nine A. M.
to 2 P. M.—they were unanimous, and I have full confidence that
what was agreed on will be carried into effect.
The Ayuntamto is now in session on this matter to appoint a
committee to draw up the remonstrance, and I am of opinion that
the [most impatient man?] in Texas, will have no reason [to say
that] it is too mild. They called on [me to] furnish the heads—
besides those [acted] on by the convention, I have given [some?]
others, including the whole system of the local administration—of
colonization—of the militia—all the violations of the constitution—
the insults offered to Texas, by the outrage on her representatives in
Sept. 1830—the law No. 50—the retail law, the insult offered to the
Lieut. Govr by calling a judge to exercise the government etc, etc,
usurpations—the neglect of the Govt, towards the people to the east
of my colony and in La Bahia etc.
The object is to form a list of all the insults offered to Texas, and
all her grievances and to demand, full satisfaction. If it is not
granted, Texas can then say to Coahuila and to the world—we were
insulted and oppressed—we asked redress—it was refused, and we
have redressed * * * [If I succeed] in getting this Ayto to
[pass] this remonstrance, as I have pro[posed] and as was agreed
to in the conference [yester]day, it will place Texas on much better
ground than to go into the measure now, and it will unite this place
and La Bahia firmly with the balance of Texas, for they will be
so compromised that there will be no backing out, even if they wished
to do so; which they will not, for they are as anxious for a
separation as we are, but wish to show to the world that they are right,
and stand on just ground in case force must ultimately be resorted to.
I will return as soon as this matter is concluded.
Ramon Musquis, after all, is one of the best friends to Texas and
the truest that lives in this place and he deserves the confidence of
the Colony and of all Texas.
S. F. Austin [Rubric]
Arciniegas family are [well] Some one stole five dollars of the
money * * *. I paid it to make it $40.
Committee: Angel Navarro, Cosiano of the Ayto., Erasmo,
Balmaceda, and Antonio Navarro.