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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
JJ_.,,. his actual superiority, the result would have been the same, or somewhat more brilliant. It was feeling, detet·mination, an indomita- ble resolution to conquer; that achie-.•cd the conquest. Such feelings arc the hig-hest possible exemplification of patriotism; and acts of a high and magnnnimous patriotism, constitute the best and strongest claims to a nation's gratitude. It has become a proverb and a reproach, that republics are ungrateful.-Let not the unkind censure fix itself upon Texas. The heroes of San Jacinto afford you a happy oppor- tu11ity, to falsify the proverb and repel the reproach: and I recommend to yonr consideration the propriety of making a suitable expression of the public g-ratitnde, by donations Qf lands, to the officers and soldiers, who liacl the proud grati,fication of participating in the glories of that memorable day. Young as we are in existence,. we have accumulated a debt of gratitude which all the goods of this world can never canrel. The generous exertions that have been made in our behalf, by many citi- zens of that glorious land, from which ""e claim a common parentage; the active sympathy they have manifested in our cause and our sufferings; the many and valuable benefits they have confencd upon us; constitute obligations \\"bich nothing in our power to confer upon them, can cancel. The best and most acceptable requital we can make, is an abundant evidence, that their sympatl1ies have been worthily bestowed; that the fruits of their liberality have been appropriated to the diffusion of the great principles of '76; and that our generous benefactors, ha,·e contributed to the establishment of an enlightened, libernl and virtuous government, in a delightful r~gion of the earth, where recently the spirit of despoti!,m, reigned in all the glocmy majesty of an interdicted solitude. There is a multitude of other subjects that ,,ould naturally present themselves to the legislators of Texas. But they belong to your suc- cessors; while to us, prrtains the arduous task of adjusting the con- troversy with l\Iexico. The hand of Providence has been prodigal in its dispensations to our fa\'ored land. In its agricultural capabilities, it is unexcelled. 1ts champaign surface, invites the construction of r;iil roads and canals, in all directions; and future explorations will dis- close inexhaustible mincrnl wealth, comprising gold, silver, copper, lead and iron. All these will constitute subjects for future lcgislntion. But at present, the defence of our country and the achievement of our independence, are absorbing and paramount subjects. to which all the functionaries of government and all patriot citiz.cns, should dc,·otc their most strenuous and indefatigable exertions. It will, notwithstanding-, he apparent to yom discernment. that some internal improvements mny be advantngeously effected.-Thc establishment of regular ferries at the river, and the erection of brid1<es, over many rivulets and b11.vo11s, wonld greatly facilitate the military opcrntions of the countr_v, and conduce to the gcnernl convenience. It cannot he disguised, that the principal snfTcl'ings nnd losses incident to the war, have been sustained in very unequal propol'tions, by the citizens of the country. 'fhc populntion of the Colorndo, and west of it, and of the Brazos, have experienced all the miseries of n successful invasion, by a foe whose watchword was death, and whose
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