WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,2
490
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A GENERAL CALL TO ARMS 1
Galveston, March 10, 1842.
My Countrymen: Rumors have been brought from the south- western frontier of invasion. Particulars have not been fur- nished to the Executive. The facts are sufficient, however, to justify immediate preparation for defensive war. ,All who are subject to military duty, are commanded to be in readiness to repair, equipped, to the scene of action, at the call of the authorities of the country. . It is ordered that the Colonel of each county, for the present, . lay off the county into company beats and direct the election of Captains and Subalterns, and arrange the members of each com- pany into three classes, agreeably to the class in which they may draw. When drafts may take place, the colonels of the different coun- ties shall have authority and power to accept efficient substitutes into service. Each man will be required, in the event of a call by the Presi- .dent, to report himself, furnished with good arms, eight days' provisions, and one hundred rounds of ammunition, and prepared fo:r; three months' service from the time they shall report from the head-quarters of the army. In the event of a formidable invasion, it is needless to appeal to the patriotism and valor of Texians. They have won liberty and independence by their undaunted heroism; they have enjoyed the blessings of freedom; they are proud of their national · character. If invasion should press upon us, we are required by every sacred obligation to family, friends and country to repel our in- vaders with discomfiture and dismay. If war should come upon us, we will make it our business. We will be authorized to meet and pursue our enemies with vengeance. They have forgotten the generosity with which they were treated when they were placed at the footstool of Texian Mercy! They were saved when even humanity would have justified retributive vengeance. Should Mexico again disregard the exalted principles of civi- lized and honorable warfare, they shall feel the avenging arm
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