Columbia 5 May 35
Dear Perry,
There is an effort making for a new fus and Wharton told me S. M Ws
[Williams'] name was to one of the fire brand Circulars appended to the
govs proclamation The proclamation is well enough,
It only calls upon the people to support the supremacy of the laws,
But the article appended to it is, a tissue of falsehoods, got up
apparently to break up Congress and prevent the repeal of the 400 league law
so that they may retain their speculation
It asserts that the Genl Govt are determined to ruin Texas and desire all
the N americans out of it—that they are about to seperate Texas from
Coahuilla and make it a Military Commandancy, for the purpose of having
it in their power to represent to the people that Texas is peopled with
foreigners and that then the English will in consideration of commercial
priveleges help them to conquer the country etc Calls upon the people
to take arms at once for self preservation etc now this is all stuff
Stephens last letter gives the lie to all of it—
Gray the printer has got a copy and as usual it will come out in the
next paper— It will be a dead stopper to immigration and Sales of land
and throw us back 2 years at least.
In this view of the subject I think the publication of those parts of
Stephens letter which I marked with a pencil all important to appear in
the next paper to Counteract this incendiary paper If you can get them
to the press this week even at some trouble and expense I beg you will do
so if you view the subject as I do
Cordially your friend
who sends many afft expressions to cousin Emilly
Henry Austin
PS In the flour case today the Jury of Talis men pickd up in Columbia,
Were charged by the Judge that he considered the evidence of the Patroon
of the boat equivalent to a bill of lading
That Jury found the fact that Hall took the flour to his own use But
as Mr Davis swore that at the request of Hall he had charged a bbl of flour
delivd Jamieson on Captn A['s] order to him Hall plaintif had recd no
Damage and must pay the costs
God save the people from a Texas Jury Had the yeomanry been at
their post this would not have occurred, It has determined me to put my
household Gods in a place of safety off hand, in the dark vale
[Addressed:] Jas. F. Perry Esqr Peach Point With Speede