glorious ballle of San Jacinto should "conceive that great injury has been done them" by the newly-formed government-over which I have the honor to preside. But I derive much consolation from the belief that the conception will be discharged from your minds and those of the .army whom you represent, when even a succinct narrative of plain facts shall be presented lo you and lo them. It will not be controverted, I presume, that when the prese11t administration came into office, the country was destitute of almost every thing necessary to sustain an army in the field. lt is equa!Jy true that Texas was without funds at home or credit abroad. And you, gentlemen, will recollect that the army was already retreating before the enemy~ that the news of the fall of Lhe Alamo had spread dismay through the land; and that citizens were flying in all directions before the approaching desolation. These, gentlemen, are facts that run through every one's recollec- tion, and which are painfully impressed upon my memory. In this destitute and deplorable condition was the country when I and my associates in the Government consented to discharge the arduous duties; lo assume the tremendous responsi- bility; and lo encounter the inevitable calumnies incident to the administration of public affairs. Our first efforts were directed lo an increase of the physical forces of the country, by drafts at home, and enlistments from abroad, and the very first opportunity that presented itself was seized upon with avidity and not without a considerable sacrifice too, to augment the fiscal resources of the country, and provide the means of sustaining the army, the then only hope of Texas. But our efforts were not as successful as they were zealous. The credit of Texas was sunk; the gloom that overshadowed the land had spread wilh still deeper intensity over the minds of our friends in the United Stales, and capitalists there withdrew their confidence and their contributions. Orders were sent for provisions, for clothing, and for munitions of war; but the appointed agents replied in urgent demands for protection against responsibilities already incurred on account of Texas. Notwith- standing these discouragements, some supplies were obtained by captures on sea and by the generous exertions of friends in the United Slates. And here, gentlemen, I must remark that you have heen betrayed, by misrepresentations I doubt not, into an imputation on your Government and your fellow-citizens which facts ,Jo not warrant. ·
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