yield a ready and generous support to the Government. Bad as it is, and badly administered as it has been, it is still your Government. It still is the government of Texas, and its weakness and inefficiency is surely a strong reason why you should rally around it, and sustain it with your talents and virtues, and, if necessary, with your lives. The first organization of the Government of the United Stales was but little heller than ours. For a long time it tottered and seemed ready to fall; it was ridiculed and its officers abused; and then as here, treason had its advocates conspiring its overthrow; and had nol the moral virtue and moral courage of the people al large, sustained it, instead of the glorious spectacle now presented by 12 million of freee and prosperous people, military despotism would he now rearing its triumphant head. But Washington and Hancock, and Adams and Jefferson and Henry and Franklin, lived in that period, and sustained the poor miserable, and abused Governement. As time and experience threw more light on the public mind, the Government was improved and by degrees strengthened, and at length attained that degree of strength and greatness which now commands universal respect & admiration. Will the people of Texas pursue a different course? Will they not too support and sustain their infant government until time is given to improve and strengthen it? Are ther none in Texas to imitate the example of Washington and his illustrious associates? And who will step forward and defend it if necessary with their lives. I believe there are many and upon such I call. Upon all friends of Texas, of order, and of Law, I, as Acting Governor of texas, now SOLEM- NLY call. To all its enemies, to all those who are endeavoring to undermine its foundation, to all who shall refuse to lend their aid in sustaining it. I SOLEMNLY declare that all the legal means in my power shallbe resorted lo, to reduce them lo obedience, and should the government in the effort made, fall and ruin and destruction ensue, I will be found amoung the victims, and I will perish with the consoling reflection, that as you Acting Executive officer I did my duty tc:> my country. I am not to be deterred from a faithful and vigorous discharge of my duty, from, any consideration that my office is held by a doubtful tenure. I am, Fellow Citizens, fully apprised of the objectives urged against the manner of my elevation. I was elected by the Representatives of the people, lo continue in office but for a short period. The mode of election was not in accordance with either their or my own Republican notions. I consider that the election should be direct by the people. But the peculiar situation of our country did not then admit of delay, and the mode though
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