History of the Revolution in Texas, Particularly of the War of 1835 & '36; Together With the Latest Geographical, Topographical, and Statistical Accounts of the Country, From the Most Authentic Sources. Also, an Appendix. Page: 58 of 227

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HISTORY OF THE

trade. This act of aggression, whether considered or
not, by the Texans, as the commencement of hostilities
on the part of Mexico, had much the same effect in
irritating the public mind.
But the event which, more than any thing else, operated
to change the public sentiment in Texas, was the
arrival of their respected commissioner, Stephen F.
Austin, early in September, 1835. A man of great
firmness and candor, of tried integrity, and of a sound
judgment, and, by his long residence in Mexico, well acquainted
with the leading events of the Revolution going
on there, and best able to judge in what form of gov.
ernment that Revolution would terminate, the people of
Texas very naturally, and with the best reason, looked
to him for advice in the existing emergency. After a
careful survey of the attitude in which Texas then stood
to the National Government, and examination of evi.
dence lately received in Texas of the hostile intentions
of that Government, Gen. Austin addressed h'1felow.
citizens assembled at Brazoria, on the 8th of September,
to the following effect :-I hoped to have found Texas
in peace and tranquillity, but regret to find it in com.
motion, all disorganized, all in anarchy, and threatened
with immediate hostilities. This state of things is la.
mentable, and a great misfortune; but it is one which
has not been produced by any acts of the people of this
country, but is the natural and inevitable consequence
of the Revolution which has extended to all parts of
Mexico, and of the imprudent and impolitic measures
both of the General and State Governments with res.
pect to Texas. The people here are not to be blamed;
being the cultivators of the soil, they are pacific