reputation and perform an unpleasant duty that has been done it was all that I promised to do that done your humble servant will take care of his family and not again place himself in the unpleasant predicament of again holding office in Texas. I am much indebted to you for your exertions to supply the Army with provisions and believe me Sir Your friend Tho J Rusk Although I have said what may be perhaps enough still the friendship which exists between us induces me to say still more. The Cabinet in my opinion have fallen into the same error against which good sense and the experience of a previous Government ought to have warned them. We differ entirely in opinion as to what is our situation and as to what ought to be done. They promised to supply me with provisions al Fort Bend they did nol do it and they need not tell me it could not have been done. I do not complain on my own account but the army were rendered almost entirely unsubhordinate by the want of provisions. They promised to communicate with me they have not done it and I have had to hear from them generally by passengers through the Country. They ought to have taken advantage of the favorable ti.de in our affairs to have procured the means to raise and support an army they have not done it. They ought to have increased my force they have not done that or attempted it on the contrary when Volunteers arrive they are treated as strangers and given to understand at least by the conduct of the Cabinet that they were not needed but have sent out Infantry and Cannon after Indians a thing whjch I cant see the policy of do they believe the Indians are fool enough to wait for them at any point until the Infantry and cannon can get up do they not know for they are men of such that when Volunteers unaccustomed lo fatigue and famine are marched three hundred miles thro a sickly country and in a state of starvation and then find no Indians to fight they will become disgusted with the service and quit it do they not know that the people of Texas are restless under the restraint of Government and particularly one which has come into power from the exigency of the times why not then show some intention by some act to convene the representatives of the people. They do not believe lhal an army is necessary, l do. They think procuring the Independence of Texas a
124
Powered by FlippingBook