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last spark of liberty which is cherished by her sons, and which the present parricidal depots of the extinguished Mexican republic know will consume them, if it should not be smothered at once by a mighty effort. Moved by these considerations, and desirous of lending his most active co-operation and support to the great cause in which Texas is engaged, your memorialisl has formed a project of raising a division of volunteers in the north, to be placed at the disposition of the government of Texas under his command, to be distinguished by appellation of the army of reserve for the protection of the liberties of Texas. Your memorialist proposes to organize, arm and equip this division according to the most approved principles of the theory of war, applied to the peculiar nature of the country in which it will be necessary for it lo operate, and the enemy with whom it will have to contend. Accordingly, he proposes to form it of three battalions of heavily armed infantry, one of riflemen, one of cavalry, and one of flying or horse artillery. Your memorialist is fully aware of the magnitude and difficulty of this undertaking, and it is with great diffidence he makes the proposition. He is conscious that he has not hitherto figured before his fellow citizens of Texas as a military man, and he has not endeavored to acquire the reputation of being one, but having spent many of his best days in the acquisition of a knowledge of the differe~t branches of tactics, with a view of entering upon that career; and being deeply impressed with the importance of the measure he proposes, for the safety and defence of our country, he is induced to make the present application. Much has been done by your honorable body, but no human wisdom could prevent the possibility that some of.the measures which have been adopted might fail to produce the results which were anticipated. The enemy may again be upon us, and find us unprepared; and we may again see our fellow citizens compelled to throw themselves b~fore him in an undi_sciplined an_d disorganized mass to repel him. We m~y agam se~ their unparalleled individual valor and constancy tnu~p~ over him; but all will agree that every step should be taken w1th1~ the compass f ccibility to provide against such a state of thmgs; and your 0 P 0 ~ . . h' h h • i·st 1·s ))ersuaded that the enterprise m w 1c e proposes memoria 1 . . to engage will contribute greatly to this important end. If any of
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