only had five men killed and do not know what amount we killed of them as they always to conceal ther dead. This miaht be the last time I may ever have pleasure of addressing you so f remain yours till death. J. W. Hassell
[2201] [BAKER to BORDEN]
[ 29 February 1836] Mr Borden,- In behalf of the San Felipe Company and for myself, I return you, and through you to the ladies, our heartfelt thanks for the colors so unexpectedly presented. This banner of inde- pendence, the work and the gift of worth and of beauty, is the most valuable gift, saving the independence of Texas, that could have been bestowed upon this company; and these citizen-soldiers and myself will never cease to recollect the now endearded names of the fair conators, or cease to cherish the pleasing and heartgrati- fying emotions produced by the recollections of this day. Give, sir, to the ladies our solemn declaration, that this Texas banner, pre- senting the cross, the stripes, and the star, shall wave triumphant from our ranks, so long as an arm can be raised to uphold it. Tell them that dishonored it shall never be, so long as an individual of the San Felipe Company is left to behold it. For myself, it shall never fall or retreat, until my heart ceases to beat. Fellow citizens, and citizen soldiers, behold the banner of your country. Before you waves the gift of two fair daughters of Texas. Your lot is fortunate and your distinction proud. First in your hands is placed the Texas flag: let you be the last to see it strike the invading foe: let no other feeling ever glow in your bosoms than that expressed in the motto on your banner, "our country's rights or death." He who refuses to surrender, if neces- sary, his life for its protection, let him be a dastard and a traitor for life, and let him have no habitation among the free. Let us all, with one accord, raise our hands to heaven and swear, "The Texas flag shall wave triumphant, or we will sleep in death." [Moseley Baker] [To Gail Borden]
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