(571] [TRAVIS to PUBLIC]
To the Public:
The ·undersigned published a card some time since, slating that he would give the public his motives in engaging in the expedition lo Anahuac which resulted in the capture of the garrison of that place on the 30th of June last. Circumstances beyond my control have hitherto· prevented me from redeeming the pledge therein given. I will now do so in a few words. I refer the public to the following documents to show what were my motives in that affair. At the lime I started lo Anahuac, it seemed lo be the unanimous opinion of the people here that that place should be reduced. The citizens about Galveston Bay, who had formed a volunteer company for the purpose, sent to this place for aid. The Political Chief approved the plan and presided al a meeting of about two hundred persons who adopted the resolutions which appear below. Being highly excited by the circumstances then stated, I volunteered in that expedition, with no other motives than of patriotism and a wish lo aid my suffering countrymen in the embarrassing strait lo which they were likely to be reduced by military tyranny. I was casually elected the commander of the expedition, without soliciting the appointment. I discharged what I conceived to be my duty to my country to the best of my ability. Time alone will show whether the step was correct or not. And lime will show that when the country is in clanger that I will show myself as patriotic and ready lo serve her as those who to save themselves have disavowed the act and denounced me to the usurping military. W. Barrett Travis. San Felipe, September 1st, 1835.
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