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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
to give no quarter to any Americans whom you may find, or who may. present themselves to you, even though they be unarmed. You will make this known to all the towns in the State, informing them of the severe penalties which will be incurred in case of the least omission. We have reached a state in which the country requires the greatest sacrifices of her sons, a state in which it is ahsolutely necessary to con- sider that being a Mexican meaz:i.s being a soldier. Then, surely, the invader will be convinced that there not only remains not a single sympathetic person in the towns which he has destroyed, but that there is not an individaul who does not wage war on him. You will likewise make known to your subordinates that they are authorized to proceed against the commanders of their squadrons or those of other squadrons, against the Lieutenant Colonel or any other, or even against myself, in case of the disobedience of this order, which is the only anchor of salvation remaining to us. The enemy makes war on us to the death, even airainst the citizens who, because of their misconceived egoism, remain quietly in their homes; to kill them with- out quarter is the greatest favor that can be done them. · Reprisal is the lawful right of the offended : to carry this order into effect depends upon the leaders; to hinder it will be their greatest crime; and, therefore, all officers and troops are authorized to shoot the commanders in case of their failure to comply (with it). In view of carrying this order into effect, no distinction will be made between the Clergy, the Military and ·the Laity. Absolutely no one shall enjoy the privilege of remaining at peace. All Ayuntamientos shall unite with the populaee, leaving as the only authorities in the town those of their members who have passed the ag-e of i-ixty; and, it should be remembered that when the Ayuntamientos are composed entirely of persons capable of bearing arms, no one of them shall be exempt ; but those who shall have reached that af!e shall leave in turn, even if it is necessary to lower the age to twenty-one in order to carry this into effect. I write you this, so that you may publish it and comply with it in detail, thus aiding- the Commander of the Squadron in that City in whatever may be nP.cessary, to the end that you may draw your own conclusions, doing all th11t it may become your duty to do, and, aside from that which is i:tipnlatcd, all that your recognized patriotism may indicate. God and Liberty. Camp San Augustin, April 4, 1847. Copy. Anto. Canales. Endorsed Mexican Commandant No. 2327 1847 Apr. 26, PABLO AMIRA, SABINAS, [MEXICO] TO MIRA- BEAU B[UONAPARTE] LAMAR, [LAREDO? TEXAS] Sendin~ articles left by Lamar in the writer's care; agreeing to take charge of a boy as requested by Lamar; the limited supply and high cost of maize; requesting an American guard. A. L. S. 3 p.
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