military orders dictated to it. These, they were pleased to dcnon~inate c_Iccrees. The Stale Governments continued nominally to exist un-t1I October, 1835, when, by a decree of the self- constituted Congress, they were suppressed, and a central system was founded on their ruin, consolidating the Mexican States into a single military despotism, with Santa Ana and his army its Government, and his wilJ its law. Against this usurpation, the Legislature of Coahuila and Texas had the boldness to protest. A military force was sent to clissolve it. The Governor, Secretary of Stale, several members of Assembly, and others who took part with them, were seized and imprisoned. Amongst them was Colonel Milam, of Texas, who made his escape from prison, and fled to Austin's colony. A military order was issued, to deliver up this distinguished citizen to General Cos. This was disregarded. The colonists openly, but peaceable declared for the Federal party and the constitution. This and the refusal to surrender Colonel Milam, gave offence to the dictator, and those subservient to him; and in October, 1835, a decree of the Central Congress at l\'lexico was issued, commanding that the citizens of Texas be disarmed, "leaving only one gun to every five hundred inhabitants," and General Cos was ordered to carry this decree into execution. The most refined and studied despotism could not have devised a more cruel insult. To a people dependent to a great extent upon the rifle for subsistence, and who were surrounded by the most powerful and warlike nations of Indians on this continent, who, had the colonists been disarmed, would have slaughtered them like the helpless herd, and exterminated the colony without giving the party of the dictator further trouble, nothing could be more shocking than to be deprived of their arms. The consequence need hardly be told. Instant and universal revolt foUowed of course. The colonists, with the proscribed rifles in their hands, met General Cos midway. Storming the garrison of Goliad, in their onward march, they encountered him on the 4th of December, at San Antonio, stormed the citadel, and made him and his army prisoners of war, whom they generously sent home with their arms on parole. Thus far the colonists were contending for their constitution. But Santa Ana and his Congress decreed the Texians traitors and outlaws-the parole of General Cos and his army was treacherously broken, and joined to a large military force com- manded by Santa Ana in person. This army marched upon Texas with the avowed determination of pulling to death all taken in arms, and opposed to it. Such was the precise order of the Central
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