on to-morrow, and collect an army in a short time. I sent my aide-de-camp, Major William T. Austin, to Columbia this morning, for munitions and supplies, to be sent me immediately; and to order the troops now at Velasco lo join me, provided U1ey had not been previously ordered by you to fortify Copano and Dimit's landing. I am fearful Goliad is besieged by the enemy. My order to Colonel Fannin, directing the place to be blown up, the cannon to be sunk in the river, and to fall back on Victoria, would reach him before the enemy could advance. That they have advanced upon the place in strong force, I have no doubt; and when I heard of the fall of the Alamo, and the number of the enemy, I knew it must be the case. Our forces must not be shut up in forts, where they can neither be supplied with men nor provisions. Long aware of this fact, I directed, on the 16th of January last, that the artillery should be re~oved, and the Alamo blown up; but it was prevented by the expedition upon Matamoras, the author of all our misfortunes. I hope that our cruisers on the gulf will be active, and that Hawkins and -------- may meet the notice of the government. Let the men of Texas rally to the Colorado! Enclosed you will receive the address of General Santa Anna, sent by a negro to the citizens. It is in Almonte's handwriting. Santa Anna was in Bexar when the Alamo was taken. His force in all, in Texas is, I think, only five or six thousand men-though some say thirty thousand! This can not be true. Encourage volunteers from the United States- but I am satisfied we can save the country. Had it not been for the council, we would have had no reverses. We must have the friendship of the Comanches and other Indians. Gonzales is reduced to ashes! San Houston, Commanding General. [2329] [MCCULLOCH to ALLY] [Samuel l\kCL,lloch, Republic of Texas, to John Ally, March 15, 1836, concerning a land sale between the two, stipulating that the sale will become null and void "if the Mexican Government exterminates the inhabitants of Texas."]
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