WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1850
171
State? No, sir. When Texas became a member of this Union, she stood upon the earth in the great community of nations, and was herself a nation. And that sovereignty as a nation she has merged in this Union, but to remain in it as an equal with its other members. I will now read an extract from a letter dated "Camp near Monterey, October 6, 1846: "Sir: I have respectfully to report that the entire force of Texas moU,ntecl volU,nteers has been mustered out of service, and is now returning home by companies. With their clepartU,re we may look fo1· a 1·estora,tion of quiet ancl order in Monterey, for I regret to report tha,t some shameful atrocities have been per- petrated by them since the capitulation of the to1vn." What high encomiums are these in acknowledgment of valorous and chivalrous deeds! What encouragement to cheer a veteran's heart! What encouragement to offer to the young and ardent patriot! One company of Texcts foot volunteers, which has rendered excellent service in the campaign, is now on the march to Cam- argo, there to be m'U,Sterecl out of service." · One company you would suppose from this had done all that was commendable on the part of the Texan military. One solitary company, indeed, had "rendered excellent service!" Where were the Texans at Monterey? They had entire command of the city, and it was with difficulty, after the flag had been sent in, that they could be induced to suspend for a moment their active exertions in vindication of American honor-to compel the in- stant capitulation or the destruction of the town. And for some time did they ponder before they obeyed their superiors' orders. They had carried the Bishop's palace and every fastness of the enemy, and placed there the American banner in triumph, floating proudly, a victorious menace to those within the city. And yet, sir, of all this it is only said, "one company rendered excellent service!" "It is deemed necessary to station a small force at Laredo, on the east bank of the Rio Grande, for the purpose of protecting that frontier from Indian depredations, and enabling the govern- ment of Texas to extend its jurisdiction with more facility to the river." "The jurisdiction of Texas," under the eye of the General, extended to the Rio Grande, but, under the eye of the Executive,
Powered by FlippingBook