More than half the Volunteers, in this command, are V encumbered with the cares of a family-and some, with those of a numerous family; generally dependent, even for the necessaries of life, on the daily labor of the head of it. Until the present moment, however, the abundant supply of subsistence taken here, has enabled me to furnish some of the more important articles to those families whose heads were in the service. This 1 was obliged to do or dispense with the services of many whose presence was of vital importance to keep up at times the show of a competent force to defend it even against a party of marauders. But we are not only unable any longer to furnish bread for others, we have none now except what we buy and pay cash for from day lo day for ourselves. Our flour is out-entirely out-and we are now subsisting on the corn reserved and actually needed for the support of the fixed population of the Town. Nor can even this resource avail us but a short time. There is but little corn, now left; not as much indeed, as will bread the place, till seed-time-leaving the interim between this, and harvest-time, wholly unprovided for. From the preceding statement of facts, the Council will very readily perceive that in case they would retain possession of, hold, and defend this post, it is indispensably necessary that those who have so long and patiently sustained it, should be relieved for a time, al least, and that it is equally important that means of subsistence should be provided, for those, in whose possession the present occupants, may he instructed to leave it. lt is unsafe, and therefore, impolitic, to urge too far, in the beginning of the contest, the patience, and attachment of our people. It is now some time since I have heard a word from or indeed of, the actual state of things, in San Patricio. A rumor is in circulation here, (whether true or false, l am unable lo vouch, nor have I the means of ascertaining at the moment,) that Rodriques, the Commandant of Le Panticlan, is in daily habits of personal intercourse with the population of that place, coming to, and returning from, the Town, al pleasure. It is certainly of much, of great importance, indeed, lo occupy that post. We owe it to that people lo protect them, both fro~ msult & liability to insult by the enemy; and we ought, if poss_,ble, lo screen them from even the suspicion of a willingness to give countenance lo the military in any way whatever. And we
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