474
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
No. 1099
• 1839 Feb. 27, [JA1\IE'S B. RANSOl\1, HOUSTON, TEXAS]
Notes regarding a suit to be brought in Victoria County for theft of horses and saddles [ n ; the recommendation by :Major Pinckney Caldwell of Captain John F. Kemper, of Victoria County, for chief justice, etc. A. Df. 1 p.
No. 1100 1839 Feb. 28, l\I. B. LAl\IAR. ADDRESS 52
The President's Address
calling for Volunteers for the protection of the Frontiers.
Executive Department Houston February 28th 1839..
Fellow-_Citizens
I am forced, by the suffering condition of our North Western frontier, to make an appeal to your valor and patriotism, which have never been appealed to in vain. The fierce and perfi- dious savages are waging upon our exposed and defenceless inhab- itants, an unprovoked and cruel warfare, masacreing the women and children, and threatning the whole line of our unprotected borders with speedy desolation. All that a brave and energetic people could achieve for their own safetey, has been nobly done. They have met their enemies with unflinching hearts, and have borne their trials and reversrs with a fortitude equalled only by their heroism. But their population, thinned by repeated and con- tinued losses, are now no longer able to sustain themselves against the overwhelming numbers by which they are surrounded; and if immediate relief be not extended, they will be compelled to break up their settlements, and seek security in our more populous coun- ties. Under such circumstances, they call upon their less exposed fel- low-citizens to fly to their assistance and protection. Shall the call be made in vain? Shall those who have never ~xperienced ca1am- ity-who have participated in the prosperity of the country, with- out sharing its perils, look ingloriously on the sufferings of these hardy pe:ople, the most of them the early pioneers of Texas, and behold them cut up and destroyed in detail, without offering that generous succor a·nd assistance which they have a right to expect, and which honor and valor will delight to give? Are. you, citizen solrliers, willing to repose quietly at home while your countrymen and brethren are bleeding under the tomahawk, and their families are the unresisting victims of the scalping knife 1 Can you sleep ••copy. In no. 361.
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