necessary lo make head against St. Anna's forces, verry good cavalry and fair artillery arc necessary, particularly light batteries; these l wo arms requires sturdy chiefs, and the laller, all quackery apart, some liltlc science and instruction. Riflemen loo, if they can be brought lo steady duly, but it may prove a risque, loo late to remedy, lo rely, in a counLTy of pampas and prairie on a force whose bcsl movements depend on Lhe most finished Drill we have, and the point perdu of which is the difficulty of &c, assembling them, and bringing them into close action-I mean practically-it has been thus in all times- the principles of war, as you know, are unchangeable, as those of any science called fixed,- If your convention act coolly and with discrimination there must be found men, who have everything in jeopardy, and a right above all right most sacred when acquired, the right of self or representative Government, among these, you must find those on whom lo build hope and command Success, two important elcmants, passion and prinicple arc thus combined. I have just consulted an indiffcrent map- San Antonio seems lo be a short way from you, but the country you describe as difficull. The Oictator has at leisure all the resources of the Government, and will at first press you hard, J fear, an early and energetic use of maratime means, may check him in his communications, which being forced Lo be over land must prove difficult. He has however well chosen his time, but the despotism of these Dictators is rarely permanent. To join you, however, for which I confess a great inclination is to me a step of great importance, a furlo' for some time and permission to leave the U. States is clogged wilh forms and difficulties, and a considerable delay would occur: to discard as nothing domestic reasons & duties, being assiduously engaged with education of an only son for West Point or a profession, a resignation too from our service on entering yours would be necessary, and indeed would follow as a maller of course, and many military responsibilities not easily shaken off, or settled up are pending. To your convention among many other obvious duti<'s [it belongs] to organize a constitutional and administrative government, suited to your cnfanchiscd Slate. A successful resistance brings with it an immediate necessity for authority, Laws & order, without which mere mere military succ<'ss docs not radiate beyond the field of Batlle, skillful ancl faithful financial
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