The Portland gazette., 1818-08-04
NISCELLAN Y.
A NEW NATION!t


From the Philadelphia Dena0crdtick Press.
Mr.. EDIroR-I send you for publication, some
extracts from a manifesto which has been pub
lished BY the French Officers who have establish
ed themselves on Trinity river, IN the province of
Texas 1t would seem from the tenor of the pria-
ciples announced, that they have taken posses
SION as Sorere tgns, with intention q erecting
independent power. They have constituted .
.dilit0ry Form Of Government, and declare it as
their intention to justify their occupancy Of the
territory, by Crna. It viii be recollected, that
MANY OF those were the persons to whom Con-
gress granted tract Of land ia the Alabama ter
ritory on terms very favourable. They have
sold out their titles to spectators and with the
proceeds have been enabled to possess them
selves. without leave or license, OF the tract
they now occupy. The United States clam the
province of Texes to the Rio del Norte, under
the treaty for the purchase Of Louisiana. The
new colony is consequently included in our terri
torial jurisdiction, and their proceedings are in
hostility to our laws.
9 Champ d'.4aile, Prorince Of
1eTas, May 1lth, 1918.
| Reunited by series OF the same caiainl
ties, which have torn us tgom our homes, and
scattered Us suddenly in different countries,
we have resolved to seek an asylum, where
we NAV be able to recall ouRmisiortunes, that
we NAV draw from them useful lessons.
Ayast country presents itself tous-a coun-
try abandoned by civilized men, and where
ara only to be seen, some points occupied, or
trayersed by Indian tribes, who, contented
| with the chase, leave without cultivation, a
territory as fertile as extended. In the al
versitv Of which we boast, tar from lis hum
I bling our spirit, we exercise the first right
granted TO man By the author OF nature, IN
Establishing ourselves on this land, 10 tertl.
;se i by our Iabours, and to demand from it
the products, it never refuses TO perseverance.
We attack no one--we have no hostile IN,
tentions. We ask peace and ifiendship with
aIl who surround us-and will be grateful for
the kindness, which will be extended TO Us.
We will respect the religion, the laws, the
manners and the usages Of civilized nations.
We will respect the independence, the customs,
the mode of life Of the Indian nations, whom
we will not restrain either in hunting, or in
any other point Of their existence.
We will maintain with oil those TO whom
II will be expedient, social relations, and
good neighbourhood, as well as commercial
pursuits. -
Our department viii be peaceful, active and
Iaborious--,ge will be useful to the extent of
our power-and will render good for good.
But il it be possible, that our situation be
not respected, and that persecution may fol
low us 10 the deserts where we have sought
retreat, we ask it of all reasonable men, what
defence would have been ever more Legitimate
than ours 1t will be that of the most entire
devotion. Our resolution is taken before
hand. We have arms. The care Of our
preservation has imposed it on US, to furnish
ourselves with them, as men In our situation
always have done. The land on which we
have placed ourselves, win behold Us pros
Der or bravely die. There we will live hon
ourably and tree, Or will find our tomb-snd
lust men, will grant a testimony Of esteem 10
our memory. But we have a right to look
for more happy result--and or FIRST care
ought TO be, to merit the general assent, N
tracing he simple regulations, which will be
a guarantee Of our dispositions.
We will name the place where our colony
IS situated. Cternp a.4zils