the heart of the country-if ever Santa Anna crosses the Cuadaloupc with 5,000 men, we have to fight cast of the Brazos, if not the Trinity! 1 feel certain that, even in that event, his army would inevitably perish ur surrender. But, should we not prevent such a dreadful catastrophe, and rally, lo the rescue, every freeman of Texas? Evince your determination lo live free or perish in the ditch. In order to provide for the wants of the men, appoint contractors, and have established on the different routes west, depots, for beef, cattle, salt, &c., and such provisions as may be obtained, that the men may be pushed forward without delay, to such points as may be deemed most exposed. In the mean time, 1 would respect/ ully recommend such measures be taken, as to furm a corps of reserve on Colorado, at or between Bastrop and Conzales, and also the Navidad and La Baca, in order to protect the seltlers, and cover the advance, in case an enemy with a superior force should leave them in the rear, and march forward, calculating much upon our weakness and unprepared slate of defence, and expecting much from our inexperience and division of forces, which might be dispersed in detail, and leave the country an easy prey lo the arch-Tyrant. IL is useless to controvert the fact that our true strength and geographical situation are well known lo Santa Anna. This expedition against Texas has long since been deter- mined by Santa Anna; and Colonel Almonte was sent to Texas for the express purpose of ascertaining these facts, which you will sec from his report he faithfully executed. In order to meet all the exigencies, allow me to urge you not to permit loo many cavalry. But few horsemen will be requisite on the west side of Guaclaloupe; and experience has convinced me that the service will not be promoted by having any number of them: and extensive frauds, practised upon the government, in remunerating the owners for properly never lost or destroyed in Lhc service, and not unfrcquently sold several Limes, on private account. February B, seven o'clock, A.i\l. May I also urge thc- immedial<' necessity of causing suitablc- floaling bridges, or boats, al private pass-u:a_ys, across all streams to the cast of Guadalo11pe calculated lo i-top the rclrt'al of our forces, should it be our unfortunate lot lo be compelled lo make one. This would al the same t.imc secure the easy pa:-sagc of our
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