301
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
of liberty-which is in fact, the cause of mankind-all unite in calling upon the free, the generous, the enterprising and the pious, to step forward in aid or' Texas. We expect aid from the religious portion of the com- munity, and that the pulpit will pour out its fervent prayers to a just God for his blessing on our endeavors, and send its eloquent voice to the people in the cause of all free churches-the cause of truth and justice. Our fate will probably be decided in three months. Santanna is making a great effort. If he fail, it must be his last. Now is the time to aid us- now is the time of salvation. . We need everything-provisions and money- and men well armed, officered, and provided. Their expenses will all be refunded at the close of .the war, with interest, besides donations in land, The opening is a great one, if it were only a matter ·of speculation-it is glorious in its cause. A new republic is about to rear its independent banner over a country but lately a wilderness- Th~re is magnificence in the idea-prosperity freedom and glory in the results. We shall stop one day at Louisville. I should like much to visit Lexing- ton. Some of my much cherished schoolmates and companions of happy days still reside there: John McCalla, Pierce Butler the Todds etc. please remember me to them. Tell my Cousins E________ and H_____ I hope it will not be long before they can live in Texas with such comforts as they merit. If we weather the storm untill June all will end well and prosperously. I have no doubt we shall, for we rely on aid from the people of th·e U. S.-but it must be prompt. There is a Louisiana Battalion; a Georgia Battalion; a Mississippi Battalion; an Alabama Battalion; and a Tennessee Battalion; why can there not be a Kentucky Battalion? It would be a fine opening for a mili- tary man of standing-a Lafayette service. They might go by land from Natchitoches, or by water from here. The former I prefer, as Mexican cruisers are on the coast. We are fitting out some to meet them, but our money is rather short. I have written hastily and must close, for I am at the end of the paper, but not at the end of the subject. It is a copious one, and I am perhaps rather enthusiastic in the view I take of it. My whole heart and soul is devoted to it. I am well. S. F. A.
A. HUSTON TO AUSTIN ET AL.
New Orleans Jan 10 th 1836 In conformity with a special act of the Provisional Government of Texas I have been ordered to this place to Purchase such articles in the Qr Mas- ters Department as are necessary for the immediate sustainance and use of the army I herewith transmit to you a Copy of the articles which I am
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