never were better materials for soldiers; but without discipline they can achieve nothing. Establish military laws, and like the dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus, they will produce armed men. It will be necessary to procure funds in order to establish the contemplated government, and to carry on the war in which we are now engaged; it will, therefore, be our duty to elect agents to procure those funds. I have too high an opinion of the plain practical sense of the members of this body, to think for a moment, that they will elect any but some of our most influential citizens to this important post. Without funds, however heroically your armies may fight, however wisely your councils may legisl11te, they will erect hut n ba~ekf',; fabric that 1rill fall of its own weight. There are several warlike and powerful tribes of Indians, that claim certain portions of our lands. Locations have been made within the limits they claim, which has created great dissatisfaction amongst them; some of the chiefs of those tribes are expected here in a few days; and I . deem it expedient to make some equitable arrangement of the matter that will prove satisfactory to them. Permit me to call your attention to another subject. Some of our brethren of the United States of the north, hearing of our difficultie:1, have generously come to our aid, many more ere long will be with ua; services such as they will render, should never be forgotten. Jt will be proper fnr t hi.c: C'•)n ,·cntic,n to c:ccure to them the rights and privileges of citizens, to secure to them their land "in head rights," and place them on the same footing with those of our citizens who have not yet obtained from government their lands; and in all other respects to place them on an equal footing with our most favored citizens. Again, the path to promotion must be open, they must know that deeds of chivalry and heroi"m will meet their rewards, and that you will throw no obstruction in thrir patlnnty to fame. Some fraudulent sales or grants of land, by the late government of Coahuila and Texas, will require your attention. The establishment of mails, and an express department, is deemed necessary to promote the interest of the country; besides other minor matters that have escaped mv oh~crvnticm in this cnrsorv review. ·Finally. Gentlemen and friends, let me call your attention from these llrtails to the high position which you now occup:r: let me rt'mind you that the eyes of the world are upon you; that battling as we are against the despotism of a military chieftain, all tn1e republicans, all friends to the liberties of man, are anxious spectators of the conflict, or deeply interested in the cause. Let us give evidence that we are the true descendants of that band of heroes, who sustained an eight years' war against tyranny and oppression and gave liberty to a new world. Let our achievements be such that our mother country, when she reads the hright pn,!!c tlrnt rl'rorrl~ thrm. ~hall prou,lly nn,l jo_dull~• exrlnim, these are my sons! their heroic deeds mark them as such. Again, gentlemen, let me admonish you that "the ground on which v0n ~tnnrl i~ hoh·." that vonr ,lrt'ision~ will nffc.'ct the right~ anrl lihel°tic.'s of thousands of freemen~ nnd destinies of millions yet unborn, and per- haps the cause of liberty itself. I do not view the cause in which we are engaged, as that of freemen fighting alone against military despotism; I do not v;!ew it as Texas battling alone for her rights and her libertie5; I view it 1T' !' more nobler, more e:rnlted light, I view it as the ~at
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