[2886) [LARUE to BURNET} To the President of Texas and others concerned in the government and defence of Galveston Island. GenUemen- The possession of this post is of the last importance to the State of Texas-if your army is defeated it is the only point to which it can retreat without the certainty of being disbanded-it is the only port by which you can receive supplies of men and provisions from the United States-and it is the first place which the Mexicans are likely to attack-in proportion to its importance, and the danger to which it is exposed, should be the magnitude and energy of the measures taken to defend it. It is a place strong by nature, and may be held by a small and weU disciplined force against any army which Mexico can send against it. At present, however, it is entirely exposed, and one hundred horsemen, crossing at the west end of the island, and directed by a good guide, could take possession before any effectual resistance could be made. You have men, but they are neither armed nor disciplined: You have muskets, and artillery, and ammunition-but there is nothing in your whole camp fit for service. Some speedy and energetic measures, are therefore necessary, and I would humbly suggest a plan of defense. I. Let the Island be put under martial law-let no man leave it- and make each man do military duty. 2. Let the arms, and amunition be immediately prepared for service, and have the men properly drilled. 3. Let a battery be erected on the beach to command the passage from the western part of the island-a cruiser lie off in the bay lo cover the same passage. 4. Let the stores be removed to the vessels in the harbor. 5. Let a cordon of sentries be posted from this point lo the western extremity of the island, so as to give early and correct information of the movements in that quarter, if these and other obvious means, are employed, you may maintain the Island, if not the last hope of Texas is gone. J.C. Larue April 26, 1836
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