This article is a translation of a pamphlet issued from the press of Cornelio C. Sebring in Mexico in 1835. It was dated by Austin, January 18, 1835, and consists of thirty-two octavo pages. It is chiefly valuable for the light that it throws upon the attitude of Texas toward the Mexican republic, on the one hand, and, on the other, toward the question of separation from Coahuila; for we may assume that Austin understood the prevailing sentiment in Texas and represented it honestly.
In translating the document the aim has been to render it into as good English as possible without departing too far from the literal expression of the original. This expression, however, is elliptical and involved, and hence many difficulties have arisen in the translation. In cases of doubt effort has been made to preserve the thought rather than the form. The punctuation and capitalization of the document have in some instances been departed from, in order to comply with modern English standards. The paragraphing, except in the concluding parts of the letters given as appendices, and the italicising of English words, however, are the same as in the original.
Acknowledgments are due to Miss Lilia M. Casís, Dr. George P. Garrison, and Dr. Herbert E. Bolton for various helpful suggestions and corrections.—Ethel Zivley Rather.
