Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-10-20
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
ADDRESs-tH" /
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apology will be regarded necessary fur The liberty
take IN reviewing the address you directed The
signature of the Hon John @ Adams and others, TO
the number of tweve)-together with part OF Mr.
Adams address TO his constituents, delivered at Brain
Tree, on the 9Th of September, lc42-,hese respec
tive documents having for their object the discussion
of subject, less momentous than the annexa
ton OF the neghborng Republic Of Texas TO this Fe-
deration.
Important us the subject may be, it is not my pre-
sent purpose 10 dscusst The object OF this address,
is to present TO you clear, fair, and full view Of thr
temper IN which II has been discussed by Mr. Adams
and others-and, for the accomplishment of this oh
ec it will be necessary TO advert TO the circums;cn-
ces under which the Anglo-American people in
duced TO settle in that portion of the Mexican terri
tory, known and designated by the name of Texas--
territory ceded 10 old Spain, in exchange FOR Fio:i-
da, by treaty, bearing date lol9-at which date, !
mistake not, Mr. Adams was Secretary OF State for the
United States This, however, is mere remins-
cence, to which ask your passing attention.
will now proceed TO the facts connected with the
settlement of Aaglo-Amer,cans, in that portion of the
Mexican territory, called Texas, from the commence
men OF settlements, up TO the revolution in that
Ty-and if IN stating these facts, matters Of his
tory, there should be single m,sstaeu,en either
through inadvertence, or design, will be extremely
obliged 10 MIR. Adams, any other gentleman, 10
correct the error, and will, without offence stand
corrected Texas, then, opened for colonization
as early as the year 1922. The unsettled condition OF
Mexico, at that period OF her history, operated mo 81
dSan5t the settlement OF ner C0ltp-
MES. IL was uncertain at that time whether her Go
vernment would be Imperial Republican-and, if
Republican, whether it would be Consolidated or Fee
derave Republic. These doubts continued 10 obsruct
settlements 10 the year eighteen hundred and twenty
four, when the Federal Constitution of that date was
adopted by the people of Mexico as the basis of their
future Government From that Period Q824,) the
people of the United States OF the North had
scrupes in removing to Texas, any other section OF
the Mexican R-publc-the Constitution of Mexico
G,lI and oil fhn prbt
pertaining person and property with the exception
of Religious freedom) as are enjoyed by you under
The free Constitution of this country solicit parli-
cular attention TO this matter OF HISTORY, il
crssary to a Just estimate Of Texan character, as
we'll as a.fording a clew by which explain of
the Of the revolution in which Texas has been,
and is still engaged For full information the SUI
ect of the Constitution Of 1894, refer you to the IN
strument itselfa small portion only will quote Tor
your information portion being immediately con.
nected with the object of this address. The Mexican
territory was by her Constitution, divided into egh
teen sovereign and independent S,aes-organzed pre-
cisely the plan OF The States forming this Federal
Union A the period Of this Constitutional organza
ton Of the Mexican States, the old province OF Texas
had not population sufficient to warrant her admis-
sion indape ndent member of the Federation -
She was, therefore, attached 10 the province OF Goa
hnla-the two provinces forming of the sovereign
and independent States Of the Mexican Federation,
known and designated as the Stale of Coahu'la and
Texas-wiih this special Constitutional provso, in re
aion 10 the old province of Texas that whenever she
fel, her ability TO figure State, she should commu
ncae the same TO the General Congress-proceed to or
gsniza as such-frame a State Constitution, (Which
was required to be Republican, -submit the said Con-
st;uion TO the General Congress for their action and
rat ifcaon.
Permit me here to direct your attention TO another
Historical fact Immediately connected with the relations
between Mexico and Texas, and which | know you
can not fail duly appreciate. In the year 1885, Texas
feeling her ability TO figure State, availed herself
of the constitutional provso, and proceeded TO organize
by the election Of delegates TO meet in convention on
the FIRST day of April, 1888 The convention met, and
adopted State Constitution for the government oil
Texas perfectly Republican in all its features. For
full information this subject, refer 10 the Consu
ton adopted by the representatives. OF the good people
Of Texas. in convention assembled the frs; day OF
April 1888. This Constitution accompa nied by most
respectful memorial signed by the President and Sc
cretary of the Convention, dispatched by special
agent, General Stephen +. Austin, colonial con;rac
tor with the General Governmeni,) 10 The city OF Mex
co-te general Congress, holding their session in the
city, at that time unable TO tell you what dlspo
son was made of the Constitution and memorial
They may still sleep quietly on or under the table OF
the National Congress. The disposition, however,
made of the special agent, the people of Texas have
good cause 10 know and TO remember. Gen. Austin,
the special agent arriving at the seat of govern
ment delivered the Constitution and memorial with
which he charged, 10 the proper authorities of the
government, not doubling for moment, but that i'm
taken, not On the Constitution and memorial but on
General Austin. He, by order OF Cen Santa Anna,
(the then government DePsrto OF Mexico,) was ar
rested without question: examination, any form OF
planation; ncarceraed in oa,hsome dungeon cot
off from the light OF Heaven, aud the communion OF
men, and there detained for four consecutive months
his exclusive sus;enance, during The whole time,
scanty supply of bread and water. AT the end of
four months, through the intercession Of Catholic
Neutrality-suspicious. to General Santa Annals
fan reipa from dark
and solitary imprisonment: though not placed al
liberty, but still detained prisoner under strict
guard, until the summer of 1885, when he per-
miited by Santa Anna, without the farm Of trial
turn TO bis anxious friends and long desired home
With this fact alone staring you full IN the face, mat
ter Of record for which vouch, and which Mr. Adams
and others canno, deny, / ask, appealing to you,
sincerity, and trusting TO your instructive sense III
right and justice, 10 the feelings by which freemen
would be animated, under wanon insult uncaled for
cruelty, and bastard oppression, whether the people OF
Texas had not much more than Unsuitable cause, for
prompt, fierce, indeed deadly hostility to the aulhuri
ties OF Mexico? You, | know, who Invested OF
prejudice, give but answer 10 this question:
History informs you, that Texas still fobearing,
unwilling (howeyer good the cause) 10 hazard the al
ways doubtful issue of civil brol. From 1888 10
1885, the people patiently submitted to the wrongs and
indgnilies hesped upon them. Indeed, far from
an expression of hostile feelings, petition upon pe
,inn, memorial folio wing memorial prayer succeeding
PRAYER, addressed TO General Santa ANN by the
|
and universally beloved fellow citizen, General S +.
Austin. Regardless of their petitions, Indifferent to
their memorials and deaf 10 their prayers, Santa An
deigned not single response Patience is not yet
exhausted; the people remaining quiet under the de-
lusive hope that time and circumstances would bring
about The recognition of their constitutional rights and
place Texas among the States OF the Mexican fedora
ton. What, then, | again ask, must have been the
surprise, disappointment and modification Of these
long forbearing people, when they are informed that
the last loop on which to hung hope The free Con-
sti'ution of their adopted country, had been focity
seized, and scattered TO the wild winds of Heaven
and its most odIous military despoism erect
ed, The Despot entertaining for them The feelings
of nm Infatuated demon, longer orbearance on their
par, would seem amos, criminal. Though their
duct is still marked by forbeaance, preparations
are made, hostile step taken-trustng as they did
that other States of the Union, particularly the FIVE
Northern States, would make stand against the march
of despotism already commenced and progressing with
rapidi,y usually attendant on the march of usurpa
ton and tyranny. Their expectations were partially,
though not efficiently realized. The populous and
wealthy State of Zacatecas did take stand for lber
~ and her country but was SO suddenly and fercely