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WRITil'\GS OF SAi\I HOUSTON, 1842
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· practice. Disaffection towards the government is engendered, ,vhile loyalty to our institutions is alienated on account of their inefficiency in protecting personal rights. The Executive has never yet witnessed a case in which impressment was necessary. In defensive war the citizen is always ready to contribute his mite; and our cause does not require extortion for its support. Our citizens are willing to carry the war wherever it is necessary, to secure the recognition of our independence. The manifestations made in the late excitement do much credit to the patriotism and spirit of our citizens. They rallied to the point where they expected to meet danger, and throughout the Republic there would have been no lack of willingness to avenge our wrongs. The precipitate retreat of the enemy prevented that general demonstration that would otherwise have been made. Our citizens had left their ploughs and cast aside the implements of husbandry. They had grasped the weapons of war and ex- pected to meet and vanquish the enemy. The suddenness of the incursion and the alacrity of our citi- zens, induced them to rush to the frontier without organization or the call of the Executive. This was a noble and generous impulse, and manifested the existence of the same spirit which has always actuated the Texian people. The misfortune was that they remained without an organization. The President, antici- pating this evil, on the first assurance of the enemy's approach, ordered General Alexander Som~rve.11, commanding the first brigade, embracing the Western frontier-to repair to the scene of action, assume command and organize the forces. He was also invested with power, if his force would justify the measure, to pass the Rio Grande and sweep its valley as low down as Reinosa, but not to advance upon Matamoros with an insufficient force, as no cooperation could be ensured by sea. In the meantime he was to keep the President advised of his general plan of opera- tions and of the success of his campaign-hoping thus to be able to chastise the enemy for their wanton aggressions. Gen. Somer- vell rendered strict obedience to orders; but owing to the absence of all discipline, the agitation necessarily arising from the con- dition of the men; the great anxiety of many to command and the unwillingness of others to obey-he was unable to execute the orders of the President. The object in issuing those orders was, therefore, necessarily defeated. No official communication was ever received by the President, nor had he any information of the number, condition and total ·want of organization of the men
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