obligating themselves, be clothed and equiped at the public expense; and instead of bounty, be entitled to 320 acres of lands; and that they be allowed to elect their own officers, to serve for the time proposed. 3rd-that, all now on furlough, or parole, obtained here, be allowed pay proportionally, for the time they have already served, provided they return to the service, on, or before, some named day: and that a certificate accompany the discharge of each volunteer, specifying the time he has actually served; noting therein, the number of days he was on fatigue, and that he be entitled to draw pay accordingly. Such certificate and discharge to be signed by the Captain of the Company, and counter=signed in conformity with law. 4th-that, the above provisions apply also, to all those, who may hereafter enrol themselves, by, or before, some named day, as above provided, to the number of 500 men. 5th-that, those who may be wounded in, and during such term of service, and thereby thrown out by disability; be entitled to receive the like bounty, or quantity of land; and the heirs of such as die, or are killed in, and during such term, to be entitled to succeed to all the rights of such deceased volunteer. 6th-that, such volunteers be subject, for the time being and above proposed, to the rules and articles of War-and that, as those of the United Stales of the North, actually in force, there, in time of war, are adopted for the Government of the Army of Texas; it is important, nay, indispensable, that, three, or more copies of such rules and articles, be furnished at the public expense, to each company. A few remarks, illustrating the foregoing proposals, will fill the out-line of this sketch, close my communication and relieve the patience of the Council. lst.-The compensation proposed to be allowed in this article, although above what we have understood to have been allowed, is nevertheless, not considered an unreasonable concession on the part of the Government, in behalf of those, who, called into the field by surprise, have patiently yielded to the prolonged pressure of the emergency;., sustained a position important to the country, and who have thiE far, effectually covered, and protected, from insult, an extensive and altogether vulnerable portion of our southern frontier. Th- allowance proposed to be made _for ex~a duLy, or fatigue, is of different character. In awarding this for past services, •- concession is made-justice, and justice only, is done. The lab-
360
Powered by FlippingBook