feelin~ of their personal friends in their behalf, that I chose rather to pa~ the matter in silence, notwithstanding the opinion of some of my friends to the contrary, and the great injury produced by the rumors put in circulation. These reports did, indeed, produce the most pernicious effects. Whole companies and even batta_lions ~f volunteer emigrants for that country were arrested m their preparations, dissolved, and dispersed; and the generous sympathy which had poured into it such a current of efficient aid, was, for a moment, frozen to its source. Yet I did not notice them; for I came not here to excite opposition by personal controversy, but to conciliate friends and to obtain aid and succor for my suffering countrymen. Nothing should have induced me to reflect directly upon the conduct of any individual, but a case of absolute necessity. Such a case, I conceive, has arised. A publication in the Lexington Gazatte of the 12th instant, over the names of Edward J. Wilson and G. L. Postlethwaite, connecting me with it by name, and marked alike by the malignity and bitterness of spirit in which it was conceived, and the grossness of the misrepresentations which it attempts to palm upon the public for facts, demanded that I should notice it in a public manner. Yet, still I have deferred it to the present moment, hoping that intelligence which I am expecting from home would arrive and obviate the necessity of a pointed notice. But the frequent calls that I have received from the friends of Texas in various parts of the countTy for an answer to that publication, admonish me that it should not be longer delayed; and, painful as it is, this duty shall be performed. But as my only object is to vindicate myself and my country from misrepresentation, I shall not reflect upon the conduct of those individuals, or notice their apology for their desertion of the flag entn1sted to their defence, farther than the accomplishment of my purpose may require. A brief statement of the facts connected with Messrs. Wilson and Postlethwaite's march to Texas "and back again," and an analysis of their publication, will be sufficient for its refutation. At the commencement of the present year, I was appointed to the command of the Army of Reserve with the rank of general of Division, and instructed to come to the United States to engage emigrants and raise the means to equip and supply the army by pledging the faith of our republic. Being detained in the South by pecuniary negotiations, I order Col. Lewis, a member of my staff, to Kentucky to explain the causes of our struggle and the perilous situation of our bleeding country; confident that no appeal could be made to the magnanimity of this noble State, that would not
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