381
PAPER:il OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
tary on the futility of relying on any thing for success in war but fighting- that will bring men and money when nothing else will, and the nation which shows its wisdom energy and strength will al- ways succeed. These being my views, I repeat emboldens me to make the f [o ]I. lowing propositions.- I propose to locate on the Rio Grande or any where within the hereafter described limits 'five thousand or upwards military colonists on the following terms. J st. The Government to issue bonds for five hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars, bea,ring ten per cent interest payable in twenty years- the interest payable semi annually, the proceeds of which to be applied as an outfit for the colony. 2nd. Each Colonist to receive two years residence, or two years mil- itary service or upon being honorably discharged 1280 acrs of land to be located on any public lands situated any where in Texas west of a line commencing on the Gulf of Mexico, fifty miles from the Rio Grande running thence parallel wi+h that river fifty miles there- from to a point opposite the mouth of the Puerco River, thence due north to the line of the United States- they to have the preference of location. regarding however all locations heretofore made, and all titles which should be recognized by the [law o]f the nation. 3rd. Each [C]olonist to have all articles of clothing, arms, ammuni- tion, horses or other articles which he may bring into service and travelinQ' expenses, valued at cash price, and to receive therefor lands in the district aforesaid, at the rate of fifty cents per acre-but to have no line on Texas therefor. 4th. The Colonists subject to do two Years Military duty under the orders of the President and Secretary of War, according to the rules and articles of \Var- And all commissioned officers to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the s·enate.- 5th. Each Colonist when acting in a military ser:vice to receive the same pay which has heretofore been allowed to officers and soldiers in the reg-ular army- But the said ·sum of five hundred and fifty thous. and dollars to b.e charged to said Colonists and to go in payment f01· their military service until the same is exhausted. 6th. All levies, contributions or other fnnds which may come into the Military Chest of said Colonists according to the rules of civilized warfare or anv other legal means; to be disposed of as follows, One half to be paid to the officers and soldiers in proportion to their pay, the other half, to be reserved as as [sic] a military fund for aiding and forwarding other colonii;ts and for conducting the war and the surplus if any to be appropriated in enabling the Colonists to return to their homes or settle their lands when the war is over. 7th. A power to be vested in the president to call out mounted vol- unteers from the inhabitants of Texas, to the number of six hundred, to cooperate with the Colonists,- to serve for 12 months, and be en- titled to land pay &c. On the same terms that the Colonists are, in pro- portion their term of service. 8th. The President to be vested with power to use any public vessels in protecting the colonists on their way and in transporting them to such .points as may be selected.
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