273
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
Before closing this communication, I deem it my duty to recommend to the consideration of the Provisional Government the situation of the in- habitants of Bexar and Goliad. The necessary and indispensable opera- tions of the war, has compelled the army to make use of a considerable amount of their property, particularly corn, beef, cattle, etc. So soon as circumstances will permit I respectfully recommend that some sistem be ,adopted to ascertain the amount of the property thus made use of, and to provide for a Just compensation. This recommendation also extends to horses and other property lost by the volunteers. I will present to the Government another report on a special subject of importance and have the Honor to remain s. F. AUSTIN
AUSTIN TO PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT
San Felipe de Austin, Dec. 2, 1835. I have the honor to lay before rhe provisional Govt. an important official correspondence dated 31 October from the minister of War in the City of Mexico, directed to Gen 1• Cos. which was intercepted near Bexar. These documents inform Genl. Cos of the measures which the govt- of Mexico have adopted against Texas- The Govt. of Mexico places the Texas war on the footing of a national war against foreigners and adventurers whose object is to dismember the Mexican terri:ory, and rob etc. An army of 10,000 men is ordered to be organized immediately, to be commanded by Geni. Santana in person-Appropriations of money neces• sary to raise, arm and equip this army are made, the regiments and other corps to compose it are designated, amongst them is one regiment from Campeche which is 1000 men strong- Arms are ordered to be made and repaired and ammunition provided in every town and place in the nation where there are any means of doing it-bodies of militia are ordered to be raised, volunteers are called for. The posts at Tampico and Matamoros are ordered to be fortified, $200,000 are placed at the sole disposition of Gen 1• Santana to be used as he thinks proper, which will probably be ap• propriated to purchase and fit out armed vessells. In short preparations are ordered which if carried into effect will put an army of 10,000 men in the field and a number of armed vessells on our coasts by the month of February next- • This approaching storm is of a serious nature-- Should the Govt. succeed in giving to this war a national character as they are attempting, Texas will have to contend·against the whole nation united against her- That such a character will be given to it is probable-- in fact it is almost certain, for the reason that the declaration made by the Genl Consultation tends fully as much to independence as to adhesion lo the constitut:on of 1824--Some
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