jurisdictions of l\Iina and Matagorda, all of whom believed that no time was lo be lost in preparing for war. The meeting al San Felipe had no desire to dictate lo the balance of the community or lo involve it in war: the only reason why the meeting al San Felipe first acted was because at that place lhe news of clanger was first received, and the danger appeared loo imminent lo udmil of delay. It is only by meetings in differenl places that the sense of the country can be ascertained.-The meetin~ al San Felipe commenced the matter and I hope lhal meetings will lie held in ever)' part of the Pro,~nce, lo determine what shall be done. Rut that meeting resolved that San Antonio should be taken, and for these reasons. They considered that the question of war was settled. That forces were coming against Texas, & in a very shorl time all Texas would have to lurn out and fight-that opinion we still entertain, and still think San Antonio should be taken. The citizens of that place have at this time among us requesting of us assistance to drive the military from that place in order that they may unite with us in the common cause of protecting the country. By taking that place we would procure one hundred and sixty stand of musquets, many cannon and much amunition, and also about eight hundred head of horses, belonging to the government, and which we indispensibly require for the protection of the country. But, fellow citizens of Texas, other weighty and important reasons exist why that place should be taken; should you permit San Antonio to remain in the hands of the enemy your country is lost. Five hundred troops can so fortify San Antonio as to resist the united allack of all Texas. In that situation they have only lo send out their parties of men and harrass and destroy the country, without ever coming lo a pitched battle; they will so annoy and harass the country by continued depredations and alarms, that wearied out, dispirited and disheartened, the people will gladly retreat beyond the Sabine. When you least expect it they will descend upon you and call you from your fields to Battle and before you can rally, they will kill and burn and destroy. In the depths of winter they will call you hy their depredations lo the field, anrl a thousand allacks and a thousand false alarms will destroy your patience and your property and make your country not worth contending for.-Bul if possible even worse than all this, you permit an enemy lo be there stationed that will send the Indians continually upon you.
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