S.rn FELIPE DE AUSTIN, Nov. 13th, 1835. } EIOHT O'CLOCK, A. lL The house met pursuant to adjournment, the journals of the proceed- ings of yesterday were read. .Mr. Barrrtt, from the select committee to whom was referred sundry papers and Ietten;, made the following report: which was unanimously adopted. To the honorable the consultation of all Texas, in general convention assembled- The select committee, to whom was referred the several letters from General Austin, nm! other officers of the colonial army, nenr Bexar, anll sundrv other communications and documents, connected with our mili- tary operations; respectfully reports- That the conununications of General Stephen F. Austin, of the fifth instant, presents several matters interesting and important in OUT present attitude of resist.mce against the destroyers of our constitution, and the principles of a military despotism. The subjects are fir:;t presented for your consideriltion, upon which your committee deem it proper to report. Ffrst. 'I'he granting letters of marque and reprisal to cruisers upon the high seas by the "provisional government of Texas." This conven- tion, in adopting the declaration of the seventh of November, have or- ganized this power, and by the provisions of the resolution constituting a provisional government, ha"l"e vested this authority in the governor and general council; consequently th£·se requires no further action upon the subject by thi$ house dming its present session. The second contemplates an expedition from New Orleans against Mata- moras. This subject your committee regards as important, and concur with the views of the commanding general, as to its certain effects of crip- pling the enemy and distracting his movements. Your committee, how- ever, from documents now in their possession, have it in their power to inform this house, that a small force of one hundred and fifty men, com- manded by General Mexia, armed and equipped at his own expense, has sailed from New Orleans for the port of Tampico, or Matamoras, and that a descent from that quarter, from whatever source, in the opinion of your committee, will produce the consequences of annoying the enemy at one unexprcted point, and prevent. reinforcements being sent to Bexar.· Should further operation!>, hereafter, seem expedient in aiding the enter- prise of General l{e>.ia, it enters into the dut.ies of the governor and coun- cil of Texas. Your committee feel bound to report to this houc;e, the grateful emo- tions indne:e<l by the disinterested offer of Major Francis F. Belton. of the United States army, to berome the inspector of cannon, arms and other military stores, to be purchased at New Orleans and Mobile, for the me of Texas; and recommend that his services be accepted, and a vote of thanks be paF.,ed and recor<led upon the journals of this house, and that a copy thereof be forwarded by the president to Major Belton; at the same time informing him of the appointment of Capt. E. Hall, an expe- rienced officer. who is now engaged in performing the same duties, upon a similar offer, who will be united with him. Your committee in reporting the magnanimous and generous _patrio~- ism of Stephen F. Austin, J. W. Fannin anc1 B. F. Smith, rn their 274
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