If he has diverted the boat from the course prescribed to her he has been highly remiss and done a serious injury to the service. I request you will despatch an express to Capt Harris and if he should be employed on any private business, that he al once abandon that business in whatever state of progress it may be and return to his duty, and lo the prosecution of the orders given to him. He was ordered to report to you on his way down. I fully expected the steam boat. here this evening and am anxiously looking for some field artillery to be sent to the Army, and am detaining officers and men for that purpose. If we arc disappointed, somebody must account for it. In great haste Your obt. Sevt. David G. Burnet P.S. Enclosed you have copy of orders to Capt. Harris. -Be prompt in having the boat returned to the public service.
(2596] [BURNET to PUBLIC]
Executive Department April 6th 1836
To the citizens of Texas
The time has arrived when it becomes necessary for the Government of Texas to adopt decisive & fervent measures for the defence of the country: The army must be reinforced or the country will be lost. And the furtile lands of Texas will become a wilderness, her population driven beyond the Sabine and all the prospects of those-who have spent years and have their all in the country will be destroyed. But it only wants courage and determination on the part of our people to check the invader and drive him back to his own haunts. The people have only to will il and be free. Let every man give and his sword take up his rifle and instead of turning back on the enemy and running away like a cowardly dog face to the west. Call into action all the energies of his soul, nerve his arm for the combat firmly resolved to drive the mercinary soldiers of Santa Anna from the lands- Gen. Houston has an army now of fifteen hundred men on the west side of the Brazos. It is a matter impossible for an army of three times their number to cross the Brazos in their face. The Mexicans will
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