elections for members of congress, and the necessary officers of government forthwith, and that congress be called together at least in two months, in order that the government may be organized, and that we may have one of laws and not force. You early attention to this is requested. The Volunteers in the Army have rights which ought to be attended to, and we would consider it just and proper that the acts of the late Convention granting to them certain rights should be strictly adhered to. By attention to the subjects above stated, you will cause Texas to be placed on a firm and unshaken basis: you will establish a government of laws: inspire confidence at home and abroad, and you will remove the present causes of dissatisfaction and avert from the country, Anarchy, and what would be equally dangerous, Military rule. We trust this communication will receive prompt attention. Should it not, the unpleasant alternative will he left us of starving here, or of retracing our steps to pursue at home our most sacred rights; a measure we dread to think of, and sincerely hope your notions of what is proper and just will induce you to act so as to render it unnecessary. We desire you will lay this communication before the Cabinet. Some of the Cabinet stand high in our estimation: We understand they have sedulously advocated the rights of the people and the tTue interests and honor of Texas, and to them no part of the foregoing remarks apply. In conclusion, we repeat to you, general Santa Anna must be safely secured and placed at the disposition of the coming Congress. With the earnest desire that your views may coincide with our own and that peace and prosperity may shortly pervade the country We have the honor to be &c. Your Obedient Servants." To this angry paper, the spirit of which, I never doubted, was induced by false reports made to the Army by certain mischievous persons who have a peculiar way of displaying their patriotism, I addressed the following reply on the evening of the day it was received.
Velasco, June 4th, 1836.
To Col ... and others, officers of the Army of Texas. Gentlemen-Your communication addressed to me from the encampment at Victoria, on 26th May, was received this afternoon. I should be wanting in duty to myself, if I were to refrain from expressing my profound regret that the victors in the glorious battle
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