The defenceless situation of our oppressed country, calls for your prompt attention and speedy relief. Surrounded, one one side by hordes of merciless savages, brandishing the tomahawk and scalping knife, recently red with human gore; and on the other side, the less merciful glittering spear and ruthless sword of the descendants of Cortez and his modern Goths and Vandals, it is, in my opinion, your paramount duty, as a Council, to remain permanently in session until the Convention meets, as there is no other authority to provide for the speedy organization of the ranging corps, and particularly for the security and protection of the inhabitants of the frontier of Red river, where no force is yet stationed or raised: and I would respectfully recommend to your consideration the propriety of raising and officering the detachments of rangers from the inhabitants of the frontier where they are designed to range: that it would operate to increase the activity and vigilance of the corps, and promote their harmony, I entertain little doubt. The regular army is not yet recruited and filled up, and the enemy is preparing a large force to demonstrate upon us early in the spring; and should another attempt be made to invade Texas, which we have every reason to believe, will be done, we may expect a much more formidable enemy in point of numbers at least, than we have yet had to contend against. The organization of an efficient army in the field, and the means necessary for their support and comfort, will, I am persuaded, continue to occupy your time until so desirably an object is fully accomplished. I recommend to your consideration the propriety of reducing the number of field and company officers in the regiment of artillery. The excess of officers in this corps over the usual number, is a ground of complaint; and the objection, as far as my knowledge extends, is well founded. In the present embarrassed state of the treasury, rigid economy, and strict accountability is absolutely necessary to secure a government for the people, unfettered by an overwhelming national debt. I would call your attention lo the situation of the public lands, and the embarrassments to the bona fide settler, consequent upon the closing of the land offices by the General Convention. It is believed that the reasons that induced that honorable body to close them by the provisions of the 14th article of the organic law, no longer exist; and that the re-opening of the same would be of
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