unworthy as they are doubtless hope and expect to partake of the ultimate benefit of a struggle from the dangers and sufferings of which they seek exemption by every shameful and unmanly subterfuge. If Texas is to be independant, as of right she ought to be, she must be made so by the united exertions, and the common sacrifices of her citizens. To depend upon Volunteers from abroad, is no less dangerous than disgraceful They have aided us, and will aid us, with admirable gallantry, and glorious zeal and have shed their blood in our behalf but we must aid ourselves or the world will justly consider us unworthy of aid. Therefore, I, David G Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas, by, and with the consent and advice of my Cabinet, and in the exercise of the plenary powers vested in the Executive Government to order decree and command. 1st: That all Texas, and every inhabitant thereof shall be and the same are hereby made subject to Martial law, and so to continue for t_he terll!_Qf three months or untill the enemy with his forces shall be driven beyond the river Nueces. · 2 That Texas shall be divided into military districts the limits of which shall be the same, as the municipalities under the late political organization. 3 That for each military district there shall be appointed by the Executive government, three discreet citizens who shall constitute a committee of Vigilance and public safety and to who shall be committed the military organization of their respective district. 4 The committee of Vigilance &c, are authorized to press horses, oxen, teams, guns, and other personal property, for the public use, whenever the emergency of the country requires it, but they shall in no instance, press any horse or other property that is necessary to the convenience or safety of any family, or the last and only horse or gun, of any man who joins the army as a volunteer or otherwise, and they shall in all cases give reciept to the owner for any property, pressed from him, expressing an equitable appraisement therof. 5 The committees of vigilance &c will take ·a full and minute census of all the free white inhabitants of their respective districts, over the age of 18 and under the age of 56 years, a copy of which census will be carefully preserved by them and a duplicate sent to the Department of War.
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