Monterrey, Jany. 18, 1834.
To Peter Powell and Joseph Powell.
Dr Sirs, Mr. Allsbury has informed that you are at Pilon, and
have heard of my arrest. I am arrested by an order of the Minister
of War to answer an accusation made, as I understand, by the State
Government, on account of my having written to the Ayuntamiento
of Bexar recommending that all the ayuntamientos of Texas should
consult together as to what ought to be done in the event no remedies
could be obtained for Texas, and also in the event that the Arista
or military party should succeed, it being somewhat doubtful at
that time (2nd of October), how the civil war would terminate.
The genl. govt, could do no otherwise than order me back to
Mexicon, to answer to this accusation, coming as it did from the
state, neither could the state govt, very well have avoided making
the accusation—so do not blame either of them in any manner.
It was my duty, as an agent, acting under the instructions I had
to write as I did under the circumstances.
The fact is that the revolutions since the plan of Jalapa, have
kept everything so disjointed and so confused all over the nation,
that no man who has had anything to do with public business, could
avoid being entangled in some way. It was always my wish, as is
well known in Texas, to keep the colony and that whole country out
of the revolution, but it was impossible. All the measures of the
Bustamante administration tended to ruin Texas, and subject it to a
military govt. This irritated the people so much that they could
not be restrained. They had sufficient cause to oppose military
usurpation, but I wished them to keep out of that revolution for
it was not absolutely necessary.
The military would have gone away of themselves in a short time.
Since then all has been unsettled everywhere and I have been drawn
into the whirlpool, unavoidable. It could not be helped.
The disposition of the genl. govt, toward Texas is in the highest
degree favorable and friendly and everything will be done for that
country that can be consistent with the constitution and laws. It
would be made a state or a territory without delay if it was asked
for by the ayuntamientos unanimously, but there must be no more
conventions and no more wild excitements. The people must keep
quiet, obey the state authorities and law, harmonise fully with Bexar
and Goliad and with the Mexican population, discountenance all
violent men or measures and speak to the govt, through, the legal
channels, that is the ayuntamientos and chief of department, as they
would speak to a kind and affectionate father, and they will then be
listened to and all their reasonable requests will be granted.
I hope there will be no excitement about my arrest, and I
particularly request that on your return, you will say that I request of
the people there to remain quiet, and not be excited because I am
arrested. No injustice or violence will be done me, I have been
very kindly and respectfully treated since my arrest. It may cost
me some months and perhaps a year delay and great expense but
nothing more, and good will finally come out of it for Texas.
God knows the Colony has given me trouble enough. I am wasting
away my years, my strength and my spirit to try and make all your
fortunes. I have no time of my own, it is all yours, and yet many
of you (I speak of the colonists) complain—you lissen to men who
are my enemies. If you think I do wrong in anything it is
unpardonable and magnified, you get perversed and excited and violent
and drag me into difficulties in spite of myself these things however
are all inevitable. Upon the whole my Colony has suffered much
less from party spirit and division than most new settlements under
such circumstances, and it is now entirely safe. The govt, is in
favor of Texas and will protect it, and the people are beginning to
have too much property and too many comforts at home to risk
them by any more conventions or excitements. I think things will
now get better and better every day, and that consideration and
reason will have more weight than they heretofore have had. If so
there will be peace, and prosperity. I particularly request that you
will say to the people that I advise them to harmonise fully with
the Mexican part of the population. This is very important indeed.
Remember me kindly to everybody. I am as I always have been
and will be a friend to Texas and to you all.
S. F. Austin