In a letter to Stephen F. Austin from John Durst, Durst asks, “We have received by the last mail a Decree Given by the executive of our Government Liberating all the Slaves in its territory… in the Name of God, what Shall we do? For God’s sake advise me on the subject by the return of mail. We are ruined forever Should this measure be adopted.” To what extent was the Texas War for Independence caused by slavery? Explain your answer and identify an alternate view.