Beschreibung:

REILY, JAMES. Autograph letter signed in full to Colonel Thomas Ward Texas Legation, Washington, 29 April 1842. 4 pages, 4to, docketed on last page, tear through first line of text of second leaf with 3 x 1/2 inch piece detached, a few minor holes and fold breaks, browned . "MY HEART FONDLY TURNS TO TEXAS" A native of Ohio who had moved to Texas in the 1830's, James Reily's talents had first attracted attention during his service as captain of a regiment during one of President Lamar's campaigns against the Indians. After serving as representative from Harris County in the Texas Republic's Fifth Congress, his demonstrated diplomatic skills earned him the nomination by Sam Houston to the post of minister to the United States (the title was later changed to chargé d'affaires) in December 1841. In this letter, written a month after a division of the Mexican Army had invaded San Antonio, Reily weighs the possibilities of a full-scale war with Mexico: "It was my intention to have written you long since, but by the time I got myself settled...came the news of the Mexican invasion. This gave me so much employment with the different departments here & kept me so much on the qui vive, to find out everything that concerned my country, and in addition made me so anxious & restless to arrange all the business I could & if war really had to come be with my fellow citizens to breast the storm, that I could not write or in fact do anything until the breeze[?] subsided. The rumors have in a great measure died away and altho the battle has not been fought, yet I trust it is only postponed until Texas has gathered an accumulation of men--munitions--supplies and means so that when the line of march is once commenced there will be no stopping or countermarching until our independence is fully recognized & peace firmly established. Judging from all that I know, can see & learn I do not now believe that [General] Santa Anna will ever invade Texas. He plays another game & aims at other ends. He is firmly bent upon the establishment of a monarchy and his concentration of force is for that purpose, & you may depend he will not peril life--reputation and his bayonets in a hopeless and useless attempt at the subjugation of men he never can conquer. The rumor that Great Britain aids him with money--supplies etc. is untrue. This I declare, sustained in my statement by high and unquestionable authority. She has not nor will she intermeddle in the contest between Mexico & Texas. Feeling uneasy under the rumors that England had furnished assistance I probed the matter to the bottom & have no hesitancy in condemning the report as false. The United States have no doubt before this time through their Minister at Mexico held the Mexican government to a strict account for the many and frequent outrages committed upon American citizens & American flag. Unless I am very much mistaken the instantaneous release of American Santa Fe prisoners will be demanded and the treatment according to the rules of War of our own unfortunate sufferers enforced. We have a great many powerful and warm friends here who will never see Texas trodden down, but if circumstances require it thousands would fly to the rescue. "I am doing all that I can for Texas, but the diplomatic road is a slow & tedious one to travel--Could I divest myself of all uneasiness & anxiety about Texas then would my time pass pleasantly enough. But ever amid the pleasures and the splendor of the American Capitol my heart fondly turns to Texas, and my fervent aspirations are for her safety & the glory of her sons...".