State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-10
TEXAS.

BRAzoRIA, March 20, 1886.

BRAZORIA, March ~, 1880.
Dear Sir,--Thanks to q few ambitious
land spectators and slavedealers, the war
in this colony has assumed dreadful as
pect, so that / have made up my mind to
leave here and embark in the first vessel
bound to the United States. All the settle
ments situated between the river Nueces
and the BraZos are oyerrun by the MeXi-
cans, the deluded settlers flying in every
direction, leaving behind their slaves, cattle
and stock About 80 slaves deserted their
masters in the township of St. Felipe de
Austin, presented themselves to the Next
can general, asking to he relieved from
their state OF bondage, which was granted.
The arrivals of slaves, through Galveston
and Los Brazos, under the cloak of volun-
teers, have been rather numerous within
the last six months; but feel happy in
stating that, for the present, slavery is at an
end in Texas The following decree was
widely circulated in all the settlements oc-
cupied by the Mexicans:
"The President of the Republic, comman-
der in chief of the army in Texas, under
the date of the 18th instant, from San
Antonio, dc Bexar, has resolved as fol-
lows
"Whereas, many colonists OF this terrific
ry, in contravention to the laws and nstitu-
tons of the Mexican Republic, which for
bid slavery, and slave trade in all its posses
sions and Notwithstanding themselves
of the state of ignorance and bondage in
which slaves find themselves in some of the
states of the United States, bordering with
Texas.--found the means of importing in
this territory, both by sea and by land, and
l. ,Inr of ~
people; thus entailing slavery upon the
country, Resolved,
ART. 1. The existing laws of the MeXi-
can Republic on slavery and the slave trade
shall have, from this date, full effect in the
territory of Texas.
Art. 2. Agreeable TO said laws the per-
sons of all colored people are, from this mo-
ment, declared free, and this whatever may
be the contracts which bind them to their
masters, if said contracts are contrary in q
direct or indirect manner TO the laws and
institutions of our Republic in which case
they shall be considered as null and Of nc
value.
Art. 3. Colored people concerned in the
preceding article, who may present them
selves to the military governors and com,
manders of this territory, claiming the pro-
lection of the Mexican laws, shall be pro-
tected in their persons, allowing them then
freedom, and the faculty of settling in what
ever section of the Republic they choose.
Art. 4. Those who hereafter shall contra
venc to theMexican laws on slavery and the
slavetrade, shall incur the penalties prescrib'
ed by the latter. (Sig.) PREFECTO DE Cos.
San Felipe de Austin, 10Th March, 1886
The editor of the New Orleans Post has
shown manhood enough to express a JUS
Indignation at the mercenary efforts made
to carry on land SPECTATORS war inTeXas
I lie says,
We cannot but deeply lament the loss o
those American citizens, who, during th'
fall und winter, have left their country, an'
persisted in the defence of Texan lane
spectators. The blood that has been pour
ed out is not from those men who have al
ways in their mouth the "ui0lated conStitu
lion Of 1884" Mo- but it is the blood o
our own citizens, who, solicited by hope
and prospects, never TO he realized, hav'
wasted their enthusiasm, their courage, an,
lost their lives, in support of what
The great cause Of Land speculation ii
I'erdS.
The Southern Charleston Patriot, sayi
The contest now waging in Texas is a cas-
in point The standard Of independence Il
that country has been raSed 10, the benefit q
land spectators, who thus turn the enthu
sasm of our youth for liberty and for tn
excitement of arms to their own account.