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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
Nothing else can save the Country from dreadful disorganization and anarchy. The general Officers all seem determed to defy the civil authority of the land; I stand alone in its defense, and in conse- quence am fast loosing.my influence. I hope I shall be able to recall the old citizens of Texas to a sense of their rights and their duty; the volunteers are bent on supremacy. A Vote was taken a few days since on the question of Bringing Santa' Anna to the army, which was deter[mi]ned in favor of the measure by a vast majority. They have sent after him. · My present purpose is, ,vhen I shall take my position with the Regulars and a few companies of the volunteers, to stop him before he reaches the main army, and refer his fate ·to the Citizens of Texas jnstead of turning him over to the decision of Greene's soldiers. I believe he has forfeited his life & should die- that is my voico-- but I want the Congress to pronounce it and not a rebellious mob of strangers who have been made such by ,an ambitious and weak General. If I am wrong in any matter, write me your views cordially as I wish to be ruled by the best councils that can be had.· I aim only at the interest and glory of my county and whenever it is deemed by the intelligence of that county that I stand in the way of its prosperity, I am ready to retire. I have a dreadful task and duties to perform here, & shall require the aid & support of every friend of Order and Civil government. I shall issue such orders, as soon as I am planted in power, as to Keep under my control if possible the volunteers who are now coming into the Country; I want you Summer- ville & the· balance of the Cabinate to co-operate with me in this end. I desire the provisions & stores for the army to be sent to me specially, and subject to my control. I w:ill in some communication shortly designate the points I wish·the deposits to be made- I have written in such haste; I hardly Know what I have said; I cannot read it over- · Yours M. B Lamar- P. S. Since writin'g the above, Genl. Rusk has recd. a letter from Genl. Greene stating his determination not t9 ·obey any orders issued by virtue of my authority, denying the validity & constitutionality of my appointment. Genl. Rusk says he will now stand by me in defense of the civil authority; he sees his own power departing as well as mine; the whole has been produced by l'lis desire of promotion, and finding that his new allies are not aiming at his support but at their own aggrandizement be is willing to co-operate with me; but I fear that nothing that he can now do will be of nny servise iu the cause of restoring that authority which his previous eonduet hns prostrated. M.BL- [Endorsed] Copy of a Lettt'r To President Burnet Ilcad Quarters 17th July
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