Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 24, 1845 Page: 5 of 8
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April 24
TEXASNATTONAL REGISTER.
157
-tOftjKL."
tyR. CAZNEAU'S LETTER.
City of Austin Feb'y 141845.
To Messers Jacob M. Harrell W. W.
. Thompson and others of the .Committee :
Gentlemen I have the honor to ack-
nowledge the receipt of your kind letter
of the 12lh instant; enclosing a copy of the
Resolutions adopted at a public meeting
by the citizens of Travis county- expressive
of their approbation of the course pursued
by myself and the other representatives
from this Senatorial dislrict.in the last Con-
stress and inviting us to partake of a public
barbecue on1 auy'day that I might desig-
nate. I can imagine no reward more- grateful
to the feelings of a representative than the
appr.obationbf his constituents for his ef-
forts to serve them and a conviction on his
part that those efforts will not prove whol-
ly unavailing to their in terests.
" To me it fs at this time peculiarly grati-fvino-:
and if any thing could-enhance the
pleasure which "this public expression of
satisfaction with my official conduct has
afforded it would be the very flattering
terms in' which you have communicated' it.
and the kind and cordial manner with
which I have been greeted by my friends
and fellow-citizens after so long an absence
from them.
The breaking up of the seat of govern-
ment three years since and tiie entire pros-
tration of public confidence which resulted
from that most extraordinary act not only
forced the largest portion of our population
from the country but so completely para-
lizcd the business operations and pursuits
ofthose who remained that many as you
are aware were left destitute of the means
of providing for themselves ana lammes.
Ofthis number I was one but notwithstand-
ing there"were few of our citizens who were
more dependent on their own personal ex-
ertions than myself still regardless of pecu-
niary embarrassments I determined to re-
main with you and resist what I considered
a. lawless encroachment of power so long
as I could retain a reasonable hope tht 1
might contribute in any manner to a res-
toration of things to their proper condition.
After all 'expectation of accomplishing
that object (during the then existing ad-
ministration of thegoveriiment) had ceased
however I could perceive no just reason
why I should abstain longer from seeking
an employment which had become almost
necessary for my subsistence and meeting
with an opportunity of engaging tempora-
rily in business at Galveston with the pros-
pect of some profit I did not hesitate to
avail myself of it. especially as I knew it
could not in the slightest degree interfere
with my duty to my constituents or impair
my ability to'sarve them should they again
select me" to represent them in the councils-
f thp iKtiinn.
But gentlemen although I could perceive I
no impropriety in tins course sim l am
not embark in my present occupation tem-
porary as it is and was always intended to
be without apprehensions that it might af-
fect me injuriously in the opinions of some
and even cause me to be forgotten liy a few
of those in whose memories it will always
be pleasing to me to-have an abiding place.
You can "therefore form' some idea of the
hiwji gratification which has been afforded
mer by the kind and courteous welcome
extended lo me not only by yourselves in-
dividually but my feilow citizens general-
ly throughout the. county and permit me
to say if it were possible to instil into my
heart a deeper and more permanent feeling
.for their prosperity and welfare than I have
heretofore had that feeling would be in-
spired by this manifestation of their una-
bated confidence in me..
In regard to the course pursued by me.
in the last Congress which my constituents
have been pleased to say " merits their en-
tire and cordial approbation' it does not
become me to speak much. It wonjd how-
ever be a spurious and false delicacy on
my part were I not to say that I have
done all in mlr power since I have had the
honor of beihg their representative to
maintain theii rights and advance their in-
terests. I feet a becoming pride in the con-
sciousness of having done soaiid that pride-
has been enhanced by the recollection that
in advancing their interests I have advo-
cated in the language of your resolution-
the true interests of the Republic."'
Had J not believed that the principles
for which we were contending were those
of justice reasdn and law and consequent-
ly as applicable to one portion of the coun-
try as another I should not have been
founder the Idst three years battling for
them as I havfe done against the- most
deep-rooted prejudices and in the face of
au opposition which left nothing unes-
sayed to defeat them. The situation of a
representative in Congress- endeavoring
to sustain rights confided to his'care against
a deliberate and systematic attempt to de-
stroy them by the highest official function-
ary of the land aided with al the patron-
age of the government and supported by
the most powerful sectional influence of
the country-is far from being an enviable
one. To days and weeks of toil and watch-
fulness will be superadded every annoy-
ance which official arrogance or- party
hacks can inflict on an honorable and sen-
sitive mind. He will be traduced and slan-
J dered by these whose positions screen them-
irom personal responsiDimy ana mere win
be no effort left untried to destroy his in-
fluence bv prostrating his character.-
Such at least has been my experience
since I have had the honor of represent-
ing this county and no one can believe
that I would have exposed myself to such
annoyances merely to carry on local or sec-
tional measures.- No gentlemen. I have'
not been battling for local or sectional inte-
rests ; I have been contending for the su-
premacy of the constitution and laws of the'
land. I have been advocating the great
principle of truth and justice and when in-
spired by such themes could not be other-
wise than ardent in the cause 1 have espous-
ed. It is true until lately we achieved but
little but we achieved all thatvas possible.
The influences brought to bear upon us
were too powerful for a time to be defeated
they could only be resisted. But I thiuk
from the close of the last sessionof Congress
we may anticipate a happier era.
The spirit of conciliation manifested
by the members generally and the dis-
position to remove sectional prejudices
instead' of fostering them as heretofore
argued well for the establishment of
that harmony and peace so essential to
the prosperity and interest of the country.
The great absorbing topic of the seat of
government a topic which has affected the
general legislation of the counrty more in-
juriously than all others by which the pub-
lic mind has been agitated is now likely to
be at rest. It certainly is so as tar as Con
existed nothing like bitter sectionalanimos-
ities in the country ; the apparent determi-
nation of the late executive head of the na-
tion to desolate and destroy the west ar-
rayed that portion' of his constituents
against him while the east unaffected by
his acts and seemingly unconscious of the
ruin which was resulting from them deter-
mined to sustain him.
This gave rise to a state of sectional hos-
tility which at one time threatened the very
existence of our institutions but happily
for us gentlemen I think we may regard
the toils of that day as having past.
A better feeling has lately sprung up in the
congress
of the nation and not doubling but
the President upon whose shoulders the whole
matter of harmony now rests will act in ac-
cordance with ilmt fueling ; I shall confident-
ly look" hereafter for concord and unanimity
in our councils in the place of the bitter and
jarring element which have heretofore chnrnc-
IS TEXAS A PART OF THfcUNIOiV
One would suppose from the language in'
'which certain prints talk of the action of Con-'
gre.ss on the Texas question that the new Re-
. public is already a portion of the United Suites.-
They could not speak more confidently if her
two proposed Setiators were already deciding
upon Mr Polks's nominations In Executive
session or the Representative of her ten or
twenty thousand whites was at this moment
discussing an appropriation bill.
But Texas if we rightly interpret the bill
recently passed is not one of thelfnited States.-
There is yet a great deal to be done before
the union which has been so devoutly wished
for various reasons by several classes of our
citizens is consummated. Neither the resolu-
tions of Mr. Brown nor the amendment of
Mr. Benton extend an unconditional embrace
to the new candidate. Should Mr. Polk con-
clude to adopt the form of annexation presen-
ted in the joint resolution which we are told
it was generally understood at Washington
gress could quiet it. The western members
in a spirit of compromise and conciliation-
yielded their objections to a reference of
the question to the people at a future day.-
and those of the east with a unanimity
never before witnessed upon a question in-
volving western interests voted for the
passage of a resolution advising the Presi-
dent to remove immediately to the seat of
government and remain there until all
difficulties upon the subject should be end-
ed by" that reference.
What course President Jones may take
under'lhis resolution and in a view of oth
er measures adopted' by the late Congress
upon this subject it is not for me to say
though I have no reason to believe that he
will act otherwise than in accordance with-
so general an expression- of public senti-
ment. His friends are almost universally
of the opinion that lie will be governed by
it and will remove to this place earlv in
the ensuing spring and if I may judge
from the disposition thus far manifested by
him to administer the government with a
view to harmonize with the wishes of the
people so far as the public interest will jus-
tify it I cannot doubt that such will be his
course.
There are still other reasons which in
my opinion will have some influence with
the President in inducing him to returrMo
the'eity of Austin as early as-arrangements
can be made for that purpose.
He has avowed a determination to ad-
minister the government as to do equal-justice
to every part oi the Republic and main-
tain the supremacy of the laws; and-no
act would more' certainly establish the sin-
cerity of that declaration than the one in
question.
Heretofore-he has been connected with
an administration which was universally
believed to be opposed to the advancement
of the western portion of Texasrand in con-
sequence of which he received no'snpport
in his election from any ofthose portions.
Now he has an excellent opportunity of
showing that he will not be controlled by
the malign influences whichobtained and
rilled in the councils of his predecessor
that' he can do justice eveu to those who
did not aid in elevating him to office and
that-it is emphatically his intention to entitle-himself
to the appellation of being the
President of the whole and not of sectional
parts of the whole.
Until within the last three years there I
must again come before Congress to be final
ly decided on its merits.
Now it is possible indeed we do not haz-
znrd much in saying that it is probable that
many oj those democrats who voted for the
bill as recently carried and who belong to the
next Congress will not rote for a final admis-
sion of the new territory until the terms are
adjusted to the satisfaction of all parts of the
country. "YVe confess that we were surprised
to see this class of men consent to the passage
of the bill even as a preliminary measure;
but our surprise is somewhat diminished yet
not forgotten when we reflect that thev mav
have RE3CKVED AN INTENTION TO
ACT WITH iMORE BOLDNESS AXD
DECISION WHEN TUT. I'ROPERTIME SMALL COME.
New York Evening Post.
terized and disfigured them. I know my own tlmt hc wo1d mjllhc fiUes:ioii of admission
coiisuiuems wuu unougu 10 spcui tor uieiu
and 1 believe I know the western people gene-
rally well enough to say for them that they
have no desire to keep up this state of party
warfare.- They have contended for the rights
conferred upon them by the laws of the land
as 'freemen should contend; but finding there
no longer exists a disposition to defeat and de-
stroy them they will be amongst the foremost
to sustain the government of the country no
matter who may be at the head of its affairs.
So fa i as the present Executive is concerned
they have no personal prejudice or party ani-
mosities to gratify and if his administration be
characterized with equal justice to them lie
will find as warm and ardent supporters from
the west in sustaining and carrying out his
measures as he would have done had ho been
their first and only choice for the office he
holds.
As respects the barbecue to which you have
invited me and" other members ofthis senato-
rial district I have only to say that nothing
would afford me more pleasure than to meet
my fellow-citizens at the festive" board at an
early day but as my present stay in the coun-
ty will not be sufficiently long to afford you an
opportunity of conveying the invitations con-
templated by your resolutions to the gentlemen
representing the oilier counties in the district
and as the season is an mutually busy one
with the farmers in making their preperations
for planting I propose that it should be de-
ferred until sometime in the month 'of May
when we shall all have greater leisure. I do
this the more readily too because it would af-
ford me great gratification to have with me
on that occasion the gentlemen that you have
named.
The constant and undeviatiug aid and as-
sistance which our senator Hon. John Cald-
well and myself received from them and the
western members generally as well as from a
few kind and generous friends from other parts
of th'- Republic in sustaining the measure
which were introduced for your benefit will
always entitle them to my warmest regard and
remembrance and I should be more than
pleaded to see as many of them as possible in
a convivial circle formed by my own constitu-
ents ; a pleasure which could not be afforded
me were I in accepting your invitation to sug-
gest too early a peribd for the meeting. I
therefore pray that you will make known to
my fellow-citizens my views upon this subject
and say to them that I will meet them-and
in doing so will give them sufficient time to
convey their invitations to the counties of Bas-
trop Fayette and Gonzales ; and in the
meantime gentlemen 1 beg that you will ac
cept for yourselves and those whom you re-
present on this occasion the unfeigned and
cordial respect of your friend and much obliged
fellow-citizen.
WILLIAM L. C'AZNEAU.
Tiie New York correspondent of the Nation-
al lutclligfencersays The ami-renters have
been committing new outrages. In Ulster
county on Friday last a Mr. Lasker being
employed to remove some limber which had
been felled by tresspassers on the Livingston
estate was seized by some sixteen persons
disguised as Indians and covered with a coal
of tar and feathers. Me made his escape to
the top of a rock followed by two of the mis-
creants who coming tip with him tried to pre-
cipitate him to the ground down a descent of
ten feet. In the struggle that ensued Mr.
Lasker laid hold of them with such tenacity
that as -.he fell they acompanied him : and
their masks falling off he was enabled to re-
cognize them. They were subsequently ar-
rested bu: managed to escape. -
Commerce of the MissrssijpiValUyh
employs six hundred steamboats having
an aggregate tonnage of 130000 tons and
navigated by 21.000 men. The boats are
not worth less than $10400000 and are
navigated at annual expense of 12.000000
whilo.the value of merchandise embarked
in them is not less than 1200000000 annually:
The "public edifices fortifications barracks-
navy magazines arms and armaments" of
Texas have cost the country or would cost
if the just demands ofthose from whom they
were obtained were satisfied more than a mil-
lion of dollars; and though this property
would not now bring so large a sum if sold
it is yet worth something. The custom house
buildings and ground (the latter a donation to-
the republic it is true but not the less valua-
ble in consequence) in this city; the naval
vessels and property and the cannon and
other public property now here am worth at
the least fifty thousand dollars- This is ;i-
small sum to the United States but would be
an important item in thesupportofaState Go-
vernment to Texas with the import duties
cut oil and no resource left for revenue but
direct taxation. The number of direct tax
payers in the country does not exceed ten
thousand and a reducrion even of five dollars
would be a relief to many of them. Fifty
thousand dollars might be highly useful to the
country in a variety of other ways as every
one well knows. We are told that Texas is
to go into the Union under Mr. Brown's plan
on equal terms with the other states. What
other state we would ask is required to fur-
nish ships for the navy arms and public
buildings to the U. States? Civilian.
The Question Still Unsettled. Yc had"
hoped that the country after the passage of the
Annexation resolutions would have acquiesced
in the decision of Congress and if Texas her-
self was satisfied the question be considered
settled. But we perceive clearly that such is-
not the case. From the tone of some of the
northern and western papers it seems tin:
question is to be agitated to a greater extent
than ever BEFORE and so jar from being sei-
ilcd TUP. QUESTION AT THIS MOMENT IS MORE
UNSETTLED THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE PASSAGE
of those resolutions. We do not like the
signs they are somewhat portentous and
tiie Texas breeze bids fair to prove an ill wind.
( Wo shall see. Ala. Ilcvicio.
Mexico. The schooner Atrevida arrived
at New Orlerns from Vera Cruz on the 29th
ult and brought dates to the 23d February.
Santa Anna received the charges against him
on the 20di February and he had signified
his intention to answer them in writing on ihe
24th February on which day the two houses
of the Mexican Congress sitting as a grand
jury were to decide on the measures to be ado-1
pted with regard to him.- He declares that as'
President he is not bound to take the oath re-'
quired by the grand jury unliljie has been coin
victed of treason. The Mexican papers reX
commend that the army should be employed
in clearingihe high roads and cities of die ban-
clilti that infest tlicni. The Register of Du-
rango contains shocking details of tiie murders
and robberies committed by the Indians in
that section. It appears that the Indians
have made incursions to the very heart of that
State and have spread ruin and devastation
in all quarters. Telegraph.
.
Wealth of Mu. Astor. His present
wealth is computed at $35000000 and it is
yearly increasing at the rate of about 4 percent.
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Texas National Register. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 20, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 24, 1845, newspaper, April 24, 1845; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80114/m1/5/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.