The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume IV

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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,2

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to the headquarters, with his muster roll certified by the consul at New ·orleans as to their equipment in accordance with the above specifications,-otherwise the companies will not be re- ceived. Sam Houston [Rubric] 1 "Houston's Private Executive Record Book," p. 67, courtesy of Mr. Frank- lin Williams. For John S. Sydnor see Volume III, p. 49.

TO P. EDMUNDS 1

Galveston, March 11, 1842.

To P. Edmunds, Esq., Consul at New Orleans. Sir: It is probable that you will find in New Orleans and other parts of the U[nited] States, great excitement arising out of the late movements of Mexico against Texas. If any should be anxious to volunteer in rendering assistance to our Republic, it will be your duty to make known, that if any should emigrate, it will be required for each emigrant to bring with him a good rifle or 1nusket, with a cartouch box, 01· shot pouch and vowder horn with.at least one hundred 1·ounds of ammunition,- a good knap- sack, and six months' clothing, and enter service /01· six months subject to the laws of Texas. They must be landed for the present at some point west of the mouth of the Brazos, with eight days provision. No number less than fifty six men in companies well organized, will be received. On landing, each commandant will report to the Secretary of War for orders. . Emigrants who want to remove to Texas at this time must come thus prepared as none other would be of use in the defence of the country-nor will they be received. There is a greater scarcity of arms and munitions of war than of men in Texas. Were men to come in great num- bers to the country without being in a condition to act efficiently, and well provided, they would only encumber the country without any other effect, than to destroy the substance of those who would be necessary to sustain and defend the nation. We can bring into the field at least 10,000 men and in case of emergency we could raise 15,000. The war will not be of long duration. No Mexican force can long sustain itself in Texas. The indignation of Texians will not long tolerate the polution of their soil by the footsteps of servile invaders. Mexico has made the war, and has

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