Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-04-19
DOW Es,TiC.
AN ADDRESS


MARCH, 1886.
II is with the most unfegncd and heartfelt gratitude
That appear before this enlightened audience, to thank
The citizens of Louisville do in the name of the
people of Texas. for the kind generous sympathy
they have manifested favor of the cause that srug
cling country; and TO make plain statement of facts
explanatory OF the contest in which Texas engaged
with the Mexican Government
The public has been informed, through The medium of
the newspapers, that war exists between the people Of
Texas and the present Government of Mexico. There
are, however, many circumstances connected with this
contest It's ogn It's principles and obcts, which, per-
maps, are not so generally known and ndispe
20 a full and proper elucidation of this subject
When people consider themselves compelled BY cir.
noes ar by oppression TO appeal arms and
sort 10 their natural rights they necessarily submit their
cause to the great tribunal of public opinion The peo
PIE OF Texas confident in the justice Of their cause
iearcssy and cheerfuy appeal this tribunal In do
ing ths the FIRST steps to show trust shall be able
To do by succnct OF facts that our cause is
Iust and IS The cause of light and bertythe holy
cause for which our oreiaihers fought and bed-the
same that has an advocate in the bosom of very
man, no matter in what country, by what people it
may be contended for
But few years back Texas was a wilderness the
nome OF the uncvilized and wandering Camanche and
other tribes OF Indians who waged constant and ru.
nous warfare against the Spanish settlements These
settlements at that time limited the small tow ms
oil Bexar Commonly called San Antonio) and Goliad
situated on the western limits The incursions Of the
Indians also extended beyond the Rio Bravo Del Norte
and desolatcd that part of the country.
In order To restrain these savages and bring them into
subJection the Government opened Texas for settle
ment Foreign cmigrants invited and called TO
mat country American enterprise accepted the invita-
ton and promptly responded the call The first colo.
ny OF Americans foreigners settled in Texas was
by myself. III was commenced in lS2l under permits
sion TO my father Moses Austin from the Spanish Go.
vernnent previous to the Independence of Mexico aud
has succeeded by surrounding those difficulties and dan
gers incident to all and wilderness countries infes
cd with hostile Indians. These difficulties were many
and at times appalling and only be appreciated by
the hardy pioneers of this country who have
passed through similar scenes
here llv
what prospects, what hopes could have stimulated US,
The pioneers and settlers of Texas remove from the
midst OF civilized society," to expatrate ourselves from
tins andot liberty, from this country endear
ed to US as 1t was and still Isl and will be- by the ties
oil nativity the "reminiscences of childhood and youth
ana local attachments, of friendship and relationship
Gan II Tor moment be supposed that we severed all
these teste ties of and education and went
to Texas 10 grdppe with the wilderness and with SAVAGE
Ices, merely from spirit of wild and visionary adycn-
ture without guarantees of protection for our persons
and property and political rights No, it be be-
lieved No American, Engshnan no one of any
nation who has knowledge of the people of the United
States or OF the prominent characteristics Of the Anglo
Saxon race to which we belong-a that in all ages
and IN all countries wherever has appeared has been
marked TOR jealous and tenacious wachfunes of lis Ii
berries, and for cautious and calculating view of the
probable events of the future-no one who has know
ledge oil this race, will believe, that we removed
TO Texas without such guarantees free born and en-
terPrzing men naturally expect and require.
The fact rs, had such guarantees for in the first
place the Government bound itself protect us by the
mere act OF admitting citizens, on the general and
long established principle, in the dork ages that
protection and allegiance recipTocaa prncinIe which
IN this enlightened age has been extended much further:
for It's received Interpretation is, the Object o
government is the well being, security, and happiness
OF The governed, and that allegiance ceases whenever il
is clear evident, and paPabe, that this object in no
respect effected.
But besides this general guarantee we had others of
special definite, and positive characer-h colonization
laws OF 1898, q, and 25 inviting cmigran,s generally
TO that country specially guaranteed projection for person
nnd property, and the right Of citizenship
When the Federal System and Constitution were
adopted in lS2i, and the former provinces became
States, Texas, by her Representative in the Consu-
lona Congress, exercised the right which was claimed
and exercised by all the Provinces Of retaining within
her own CONTROL the rights and powers which appertaned
10 her as one OF the gHes distinct societies, which
were coniederaed together form the Federal Republic
oil Mexico But not possessing at that time sufficient
population TO become State by herself she was With her
own consent, united Professionally with Coahui!a neigh
boring province society," to form the State of Coahuia
and Texas, until TrdS possessed the ieeeSsary elements
to prone separate Sate IF herself" quote the words
OF the constitutional organic act passed by The Con-
sItuent Congress of Mexico, the 9Th of May 1924
which establishes the State Of Coahua and Texas
ihs law, and the principles which the Me xican fcde
RAJ compact was formed gave To Texas specific poI
teal existence and vested in her Inhabitants the special
and well defined rights of lfgoyeinmcnt State of
Tie Mexican confederation she possessed the
necessary clements Texas consented the provisional
union with Coahuila The faith of this guaranty. IL
therefore solemn compact which neither tbe State
OF Coahuia and Texas the general government of
Mexico can change without the Of the people of
Texas.
n
OF their population and resources and Of the law and
Constitution, decided in General Convention elected
Tor that purpose, that the period had arrived contemplate
ed by said la and compact Of May, 1924 ard that Tie
country possessed the necessary elements form State
separate from Coaliua respectful and humble peli-
ton accordingly drawn up by this Convention adj.
dressed to the &c neral Congress of Mexico pra wing for
the admission Of Texas into the Mexican Confederation
as State. had the honor Of being appointed by the
Convention the commissioner agent of Texas TO take
this petition 10 the city Of Mexico, and present il to tile
government discharged this duty to the best of my
feeble abilities, and believed, in respectful mar
ncr. Many months passed and nothing was done with
the petition, except to refer il TO COMMITTEES of Con-
gess, where II slept and was likely to sleep finally
urged the just and constitutional claims of Texas
come State in the most pressing manner as believed
II to be my duty TO do representing also the necessity
aud good policy Of this measure. owing 10 the almost
total want Of local good Of any kind the absolute want
Of judiciary the evident iInpossbility of being po
yerned any longer by Coahuila (or thecfourhs Of tie
Legislature from there) aud the consequent anar
chy and discomfort that existed in Texas II was inv
misfortune TO offend The high authorities Of the nation
my flank and honest exposition Of the truth con.
strucd into threats
Al this time, (Seplember and October 1881 n revo.
lotion rigging IN many parts Of the nation and espc.
cally IN the vicinity OF The city Of Mexico ! despared
Of obtaining any thing, and wrote to Texas rcconen nd
ing TO the people there u organize a State de faeO
without waiting any longer. This letter mag have been
impfudcn respects the injury it ght do personal
W, butbow al 1T was criminal reasonable considering
the revolutionary state Of the whole nation and the pc
Cuar claims aud necessities Of Texas, impartial mon
must decide. IL merely expressed an opinion This
letter found ITS way from San Antonio de Bexar whcre
il dfeetcd) to the government was arrested At
Saltlo, two hundred leagues from Mexico on ny way
home, taken back 10 that city aud imprisoned year
three months of the time in solitary confinement with.
out books writing materials, in a dark dungeon Of
ie former o1gisiiion prison AT the close Of the year