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her own colonisls, will not be realized. . In my despalch No. 6, I supposed thal the army might be mcreased before the close of the year lo 4,000, an<l, in reviewing the data upon which that opinion was formed, I am induced to rcilcrale it, as expressing Lhe maximum extent of the ordinary force. With respect Lo Lhe augmentation of this number by the old settlers, it will at once be seen, that although they would take part in the contest, it could only l,e for a short time, and to prevent or determine a crisis, as during Lheir absence the families would he unprotected, and the provisions and crops abandoned. OuL of these 3,000 men, there could never be spared more than one-Lhircl; so Lhat, admi Lting all the contingencies to happen oul of which the army is to be composed, iL will not exceed, al any Lime, 5,000 men. Nearly Lhe whole of the present army is composed of citizens recently from Lhe United Stales; and supposing the number to 2,000, the proporlion of Texans proper will not exceed 300 Heretofore, the conflicls have been sustained mainly by the colonists themselves, as in Lhe battle of San Jacinto there were only 200 volunteers out of an aggregate of 783; the resl being scltlers, and a small detachment of i\lexicans under a native chief. The equipment of the army is such as might be expected in a new country, where Lhe operations of an established government arc just beginning to assume a system. Commissariat and quarlermastcr departments have been established, with the necessary assistants, and supplies of rations and clothing are furnished according to the wanls of Lhe soldiers and Lhe quantily on hand. In the subsistence department there have Leen occasionally some delinquencies, in consequence of delay in receiving supplies, and the want of opportunity to transport them to the army speedily by waler. Provisions frequently arrive as donations. In the other department, there is more irregularity, as clothing can only be purchased for cash, and the means of Government are nol always available in that form. The munitions of war appear to be abundant for the present, and perhaps, for a much larger number of Lroops. Every emigrant brings with him some military weapon; and Lhere is scarcly a cabin in the country Lhat cannot, at a moment's warning, arm several men. Besides these, there are frequent shipments of muskets, sabres, and powder; and there is a small
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