rather discouraging; but permit me to say to you that every opposition has a powerful tendency to stimulate me to greater exertion, and, I hope it will have the same effect on your honorable body. Opposition, strong, vigilant and persevering, was by me anticipated-so I am not taken by surprise, or deceived, in the men who stir it up. They never consider the public good, but seek their own private interests; hence they are ever vigilant and on the wing. It is made our duty to guard and protect that which they wish to destroy. The dread organization as a great evil, because honest investigation follows as a matter of course, which they dread. I would recommend to the consideration of your honorable body the propriety of some efficient course lo be adopted, to carry into effect the decrees of the late convention, and also the decrees of the Provisional Government, predicated on their authority. Let us faithfully and honestly discharge our duty and the country will sustain us. I am entirely at a loss to know what is meant in the inquiry of Mr. Forbes respecting the two per cent. duty, heretofore collected in favor of the government, and whether it is still continued. I have never known any such duty or law to have been in force. I am gentlemen,
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Your obedient servant, Henry Smith, Governor
[1624)
[COS to SANTA ANNA)
Army of Operations: E.S. (Supreme Excellency)
The 15th, from Ranch Salinas, fifteen leagues from the City of Bejar (San Antonio), General D. Marlin Perfecto de Cos tells me as follows: E.S.: after 56 clays of siege, without the slightest hope of supplies of forces, ammunition and food, I have withdrawn from Bejar by means of an honorable agreement which I was forced to make in order to save the honor of the arms which have been trusted lo me.
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