WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
308
I had hoped, therefore, that I should be spared this occasion of presenting myself before the public. In treating of the sub- ject now, I will speak of the General and Commander-in-chief in the third person, for I do not like the pronoun I, so often repeated as would otherwise be necessary, and I shall give it that character which I think will be most seemly and acceptable. It is necessary, in the first place, to announce the fact that, on the 2d of March, 1836, the declaration of Texan independ- ence was proclaimed. The condition of the country at that time I will not particularly explain but a provisional government had existed previous to that time. In December, 1835, when the troubles first began in Texas, in the inception of its revolution, Houston was appointed Major-General of the forces by the con- sultation then in session at San Felipe. He remained in that position. A delegate from each municipality, or what would correspond to counties here, was to constitute a Government, with a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Council. They had the power of the country. An army was requisite, and means were necessary to ·sustain the revolution. This was the first organization of anything like a Government, which absorbed the power that had previously existed in committees of vigilance and safety in different sections of the country. When the general was appointed, his first act was to organize a force to repel an invading army which he was satisfied would advance upon Texas. A rendezvous had been established, at which the drill- ing and organization of the troops was to take place, and offi- cers were sent to their respective posts for the purpose of recruiting men. Colonel Fannin was appointed at Matagorda, to superintend that district, second in command to the General- in-chief; and he remained there until the gallant band from Alabama and Georgia visited that country. They were volun- teers under Colonels Ward, Shackelford, Duvall, and other illus- trious names. When they arrived, Colonel Fannin, disregard- ing the orders of the Commander-in-chief, became, by counte- nance of the council, a candidate for commander of the volun- teers. Some four or five ·hundred · of them had arrived, all equipped and disciplined; men of intelligence, men of character, men of chivalry and of honor. A more gallant band never graced the American soil in defense of liberty. He was selected; and the project of the council was to invade Matamoras, unde1· the auspices of Fannin. San Antonio had been taken in 1835. Troops were to remain there. It was a post more than seventy miles from any colonies or settlements by the Americans. It •
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