[1977) [WOOD to ROBINSON]
[--- January, 1836] To The His Excellency James W. Robinson, Acting Governor, and the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas. Your Petioner Edward B. Wood respectfully states that he came to Texas as a Volunteer to assist her in her struggles for liberty. That when he arrived here, at San Felipe, he reported himself to the General Council for their disposal. It appearing, however, to him that there was no situation the Council could give him, & being axious to engage in some employment, or at least to remain no longer in suspense, & being advised by Colo. Travis who assured him that his surest chance for a commission in the army was to enlist in the Cavalry Corps, & that by enlisting your petitioner would have greater claims to promotion, your petitioner being thus assured by Colo. Travis of promotion in a few days enlisted. He however made this distinct understanding and condition to his enlistment, supposing that it was with him to withdraw at any time before he received his bounty or went into service, & that Colo. Travis had it in his power to discharge him, that he enlisted for promotion only; that he did not intend to serve as a Regular soldier. In a day or two after your petitioner had enlisted, he was aroused from his bed early in the morning by the Colo. to be drilled in the field by some Corporal Sergeant or other inferior officer. He immediately went to Colo. Travis, reminded him of the conditions & understanding under which he enlisted, & asked leave to withdraw. Colo. Travis refused him stating that he had not the authority to discharge him under any circumstances. Your Petitioner has on several occasions since that time conferred with the Commander in Chief of the armies upon that subject, & finds that he is still held bound as a regular soldier. Your Petitioner, when he petitioned Travis for a discharge, felt under no obligations to the Govt; he had received no bounty, nor had he rendered any service; he felt even with Texas. He was an applicant for no office within the gift of the People or Council, civil or military. He had determined that the claims of his old J\fother on his protection, who inculcated in his heart the feelings which induced him to sympathise with his oppressed countryman in Texas, made a louder call upon. him than any other
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