Lowell, Mass, May 18th 1836
Dear Sir,
An early acquaintance with the West Coast of Mexico and various
excursions from the Pacific to the interior, having visited the City of Mexico in
1822, and Made Some observations as to the assailible points on that Sea
Board, and the Sections of Country through which I extended my
excursions, has since the Texian War commenced, been brought to my
recollection, and aroused by the horrible cruelties perpetrated by the forces of
Santa Anna I have reviewed the scenes of by gon days, in that Country and
have formed an opinion, that a diversion highly, favorable to the Cause of
Texas might be made by a small Naval force employed on the West Coast
of Mexico. Where a single ship of 20 guns under a judicious commander
might create consternation and dismay without infringing the Laws of
maritime War fare or encroaching the limits prescribed to it by the Laws
of Nations. Much would depend however on the duration of the contest
in as much as it would require Six to Eight months to give effect to Such
an enterprise and render it subservient. I know not what may be the
views of the Texian Government, in regard to Naval operations, but cannot
entertain a doubt that could it avail itself of the Services of a Small force
to be there employed that highly favorable results would follow.
In this section of the U.S. the origin and progress of the Texian
revolution ar not well understood, and this people as you doubtless may be
aware, are not so easily excited to action, as those of More Sunny regions
but when they shall be better informed, and feel assured, that half the
barbarities have been exercised by the Mexican forces, that have been
announced in newspapers of the day, When they shall know that Texas
contended for her rights as an Independent State of the Mexican
Confederacy, rights guaranteed by the Constitution of 1824, that failing to secure
those rights and seeing a consolidated military despotism pervading the
country, with Catholic intolerance of religious Worship, She availed herself
of the sacred prerogative of freemen and declared herself independent and
assumed the consequences, they will perceive that there is a striking affinity
in the attitude of Texas and the American Colonies at the Commencement
of the War of Independence, and yeald their sympathy their services
afloat or in the field, or their wealth in support of so righteous a cause
Constrained by circumstances which preclude at present the devotion of
my services, in her cause, I nevertheless would break the ties that may be
severed without dishonor, and offer myself a sacrifice for such a struggle,
if it shall prove necessary to the attainment of the independence or the
union of Texas with the American Union, feeble as those services Might be,
tho' not entirely useless. So far as some experience in Maratime war is
concerned, yet united with thousands of kindred spirits the effect of
combination would ensure success. In this way I presume it would be
practicable to procure officers and man a Ship or vessels suited to the enterprise
before mentioned, there would be some difficulty in providing an
armament, or rather in Embarking it in the vessels in which to employ it, but
not insurmountable diffculties. Would the commander of such a force if
offered as a loan to Texas, with the officers he might recommend be
commissioned so as to give them suitable rank in the Naval Review? their
emoluments to depend on their captures, and the usual bounty in Land but
to be placed under such restraint as to avert the consequences of any
contravention of the Laws of Nations?— I feel that; I may be subject to the
imputation of obtruding, myself on your attention but I am anxious that
the history of the events in Texas, should be better understood in the New
England States, and know that when the subject of religious liberty, and
rational freedom are agitated and contended for and by a people claiming
consanguinity and evincing the most laudable heroism, the citizens of this
Wide spread republiccan Empire, will fly to the rescue. It is obvious that
entire secrecy would be indispensible to the success of the enterprise under
consideration. I therefore need not enforce it. When in the City of
Mexico in 1822, I had the pleasure of an acquaintance with General Long
and the officers of his staff. Among the latter was Captain Austin of the
infantry, Whose subsequent history it would afford me pleasure to learn
and especially if successful— The unfortunate Genl. Long; Was
assassinated at that time and being among those who assisted at his interment, and
having since heard that his Widow received from the Mexican government
a Grant of Land in Texas, I would venture to enquire whether her fate is
Apparently John Austin, who died of cholera in Texas in 1833.
known to You— I have in my possession a relick of her heroic husband
which it would give me pleasure to transmit to her—
William Austin
P.S. Please address at this place