PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
463
ments by which you are daily surrounded in consequence of the hos- tile incursions and depradations of the Indians; and this regret is hightened by the reflection, that I have not the requisite means at command, of affording you speedy and entire relief. When I came into office, I found the country destitute of all resources, necessary for defence in cases of sudden emergency. It was without soldiers, without arms, ·without money and without credit. I have done all that I could to sesusitate it from its languid and feeble condition; and my plans are now in such progress as to cheer me with the hope of being able before long to place the whole nation in a perfect state of security from all its enemies. 'The Regular Army has been organized so far as organization could be effected without the aid of money. The militia, I have ordered by proclamation, to be forthwith organized, in complyance with the law 44 of the last Congress; and I have an Agent in New Orleans now engaged in raising funds by a sale of the Bonds of the Republic for no other purpose than to place the country in a state of defence. This Agent, I am in hopes, will be able to effect the negociation in .a short time; and as soon as the money is received, every effort of the Administration will be directed to the protection of the entire frontier. · In the meantime, though not able to do so much for you as your necessities require, yet all that the Government can do, shall be cheer- fully done. Of the few arms, and the little ammunition which we have, I will send· you all that can be spared in justice to other parts -of the frontier, together with one piece of Ordnance; and with these, I most fervently hope that you will be able to sustain yourselves in your present position until you can be· :reli.eved by a regular force. At this time, it is impossible to raise such force, or even Volunteers, for the want of money; but as soon as funds can be bad, a competent force shall be placed in the field. I must therefore advise you most earnestly to assemble your own militia- build Block Houses for the security of. your families; and living as compactly as possible, keep yourselves at all times in a state of preparation to repell any attack which the Indinans may offer; and rest assured, that I will relieve you from this duty as early as it is possible to be done. Those who shall take up arms in defence of their families and houses, .will on forwarding their mus- ter rolls to the "\Var Department, be entitled to receive the pay allowed to the army by law, and will enjoy the still higher reward that springs from the consciousness of having stepped forward in the hour of need to the defense of their country and their suf- fering fellow citiz~ns. In a crisis like the present, the safety of the frontier must rest upon the patriotism and valor of the citizens. I cannot believe, how- ever, that my countrymen need any exhortation to duty on their part· and I must beg them to receive my assurances that the first mon~y which shall be procured by the s:aJ_e of the pu?Iic bonds, shall be expended in raising soldiers and supplies for their defense. "'The act of Jan. 24, 1839; see Gammell, H. P. N., Laws of Texas, II, 88.
Powered by FlippingBook