San Felipe de Austin, Sept. 21st. 1835.
Gentlemen—
I received the information last night of the expedition that is raising to
march on to Labacca and without delay have sent expresses to Harrisburg,
Trinity and the upper country with copies of the paper which I enclose for
your information— Frank Johnson starts tomorrow for Nacogdoches; I
have requested them in that quarter to raise all the men they can and march
on without delay. There must now be no half way measures— War in
full— The sword is drawn and the scabbard must be put on one side
until the military are all driven out of Texas. I presume you have received
the circular from the committee of this place dated the 19th inst.; Mr.
Brigham took it down— it was written in consequence of information received
from Bexar which was of so decisive a character that the committee deemed
it a duty to take a clear and [un]equivocal position at once and to let the
country know its opinion— I am happy to say that in this quarter and in
the upper country so far as I have heard, all are united and all for War;
I hope you will inform me of what is done so that there may be as much
concert as possible, you will see by the enclosed paper, that a corps of
reserve is proposed. This was done because I expect, that some will come
on from Trinity and some from Bevil' settlement who cannot be in time for
the advance, and it was necessary to give them some center to report to, so
as to receive direction and organization; until there is some head to order;
we must all try to labour in concert, so as to support each others movements
as much as the distance and circumstances will permit. I will remain here
for a while, or go on to Labacca as may be deemed most advisable. I seek
no command and wish none, but am ready to do all the good I can to
unite opinions and raise men, and to fight in person— I go into this war
cheerfully and with very different feelings from what I had in any of our
past difficulties— we are now right our basis is sound and just, and will
be so declared by an impartial world; we are defending our constitutional
rights against military usurpation—
I hope you will communicate your opinions to me fully and frankly.
S. F. Austin.
To the Committee of Safety &c. of Columbia.