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| Colony, came TO claim their league oil land, anu


o;n the settlement. The settlers scattered in
bands or single families up and down the Brazps
and along the Colorado Indian difficulties arose,
but the hardihood of the settlers triumphed, and
The broad prairie began to be settled By the
homes Of the white race, and the sun looked
brightly down into the numerous clearings in the
dense woodlands along the water courses. Small
vessels came from New Orleans with immigrants
and goods and carried back the first fruits OF
Texan industry, her fine, long staple silken fibred
cotton. Herds of horses, swine and poultry had
gathered round the settlers some Of whom began
to count the cattle by hundreds, as at later day
they have by thousands; and on every hand was
seen smiling, prosperous confidence in the fu-
ture.


Meanwhile Iturbide and Imperialism had given
place to Republic and aregular Constitution
This Constitution of 1924 was an elaborate pro-
duction, and an elegant affair to put on record,
but in effect was of about as much real benefit to
the Mexican people as decree of the Celestial
Empire; but it promised to the Texans State
Government, and that to -greverng popula-
ton seemed the palladium of their domestic rights
perfect and familiar assurance Of seperate and
tranquil enjoyment ST their well earned citizen
ship. There was a speck in this clear horizon
When Austin obtained his Empresarioship, and
engaged to bring into Texas three hundred faml-
lies, Slavery existed in Mexico, and of course no
objection was made to the Colonists bringing in
theirs from the United States; and as most Of the
ant consideration. In 1923 law was passed in
Mexico forbidding persons to buy and sell slaves,
but to bring them in and hold them was not pro-
hibited. The law of '23 also declared that the
children Of slaves born after that date should be
free at the age of fourteen years.


In 1880 the admission of slaves was strictly
prohibited, though the position of those then in
the colony was not changed. The law was in
itself equitable and its intentions fair, but it
created feeling of distrust and insecurity in the
minds of the Texans. This distant and alien
legislation, in which they had no voice, seemed
dangerous-nIght become intolerable. The
Mexicans, on their part, had been observing the
Texans, and were fast learning to fear their
reckessness and irreligious spirit. There was
between the two races such want of common
sympathies, such a difference in language, SO.
cial customs and almost every habit Of thought,
that they could not understand, and knew not
when or how to trust each other. To the Mexi-
can adhering with devout love to the faith of his
fathers, not TO be Catholic was to be an outcast
from all religion, and the union Of the co!onisL
TO the one and indvisible Church an indiSpens-
able condition Of citizenship. To claim baptism
as a form, and then sneer at IFS obligations, was
in Mexican eyes an evidence of hardened de-
pravity. TO the colonist, who from his infancy
had been taught to believe the union Of Church
and State adulterous demoralizing and in no way
binding on the conscience Of ireemen, the demand
OF certificate Of baptism in the Catholic Church
was mockery, and he met the demand with a
mock certiiicatet, for he considered it mere
form, and of no more consequence than the color
of the paper on which it was written.


Before this growing distrust had become ram
corous and while the laws abolishing Slavery
were in progress, certain gentlemen connected
with the British Embassy at Mexico were per-
petually warning the Mexican Authorities to
guard against the daring and turbulent charac.
ter Of the Anglo Americans, and check in time
their emigration to Texas. Their stubborn pride OF
caste, their naughty scorn ofmixed blood, whether
Negro or Indian, would for ever prevent kindly
amalgamation with the Mexicans. In Mexico,
where nine-tenths of the population are of mixed
blood, Negroes are eligible, in the eye Of the law
and in public opinion, to the highest Offices, and
frequently fill them too, to the entire satisfaction
of their constituents and the infexible determi-
ton Of the Colonists neither to mingle in mar
rage nor share the responsibilities of the ballot
box with the African race, implied high con,
tempt for Mexican sentiment


Moved by suspicious SO engendered, and urged
on by British infuence-as the debates in Par
lament at the time fully prove-the Mexican
Congress broke faith, by passing law, A oril
9th, 1880, 10 stop emigration from the United
States. In obedience to this law, about one hun.
dred settlers who had left their native home to
Join their friends in Texas, were driven back
from the country. This was in open violation OF
the pledges and guarantees made and renewed to
Austin beMexico. 1t was profound shock to
the prospecfs,of the Co!onsts, but they opposed
sort of passive Resistance TO the attack, and the
obnoxious law became dead letter. Still it left
deep and angry trace among the Texans. They
began to calculate how far they could endure
and when they should resist. They began TO
measure thcir strength and estimate their rights.
They saw too, that Mexico was preparing to cx-
act a rigorous and unqualified submission. OPP
prcssivc Tariff laws had been enacted Custom
Houses were being established, and troops were
filling the frontier posts. Texas had never given
offence, and saw herself grdIcd by military
Gordon and threatened with annihilatlon before
she raised her hand to strike blow Mexico
created, by her severity, the very evil she dread
cd Her military precautions reused the suspi-