enclosed by Governor Smith's communication, was read by the secretary. On motion of l\fr. Potter. Resolved, That the than.ks of the Convention be tendered to H. K. W. Hill, Esq., of Nashville, for his generous and warm heart- ed offer of assistance to the people of Texas in their struggle for independence; and that the President of this Convention commu- nicate this resolution to l\lr. Hill, in such a manner as he may deem most acceptable to the feelings of that gentleman. And the question being taken thereon, it was decided unani- mously in the affirmative. Mr. Rusk, chairman of the committee appointed to report ns early as practicable a constitutive act, for the purpose of organiz- ing the physical force of the country for its defence against its enemies, made the following report: An Ordinance to organise the 1Wilitia of the Republic of Te:ras- "\'lhereas, the present exigencies of the country are such as im- periously demand the immediate organization of its physical force for its prompt and energetic defence; against a large invading army of merciless enemies, who are waging a war of extermination against all ages, se::i.:es and conditions of our population; and Whereas it is the bounden duty of every man who asks of the country protection of his person and property, to stand forth in such a crisis in its defence. SmYrION 1. Re it, therefore, ordavned by the delegates of the peop1e of Texas, in Con1Je11tion assembled, and it is hereby ordained and decreed by the authority of the same, That all' able bodied males (In- dians and slaves excepted) inhabitants of Texas, over the age of seventeen, and under the age of fifty, and who are not hereinafter exempted, shall be liable and subject to do militia duty; Provided, a1so, That all those under and above that age, shall have the privi- lege of enrolling thtoir names anil subjecting themselves to duty. 8r-:c. 2. Be it furllie1· ordained by tJie autlwrity aforesaid, That it !'hall be the duty of this Convention to appoint one man in each municipality, district or county, whose duty it shall be, within ten days after the reception of the notice of his appointment, accom- panied by a copy of this ordinance, to take and register, in a book to be kept by him for that purpose, the names of all those in his Jish-ict or county, Hable to do duty under the provisions of this net; true transcript copies of the names so taken, to be made out by him, properly certified, one copy to be sent to the executive, one to the commander-in-chief of the army, and another to be posted up at the most public place in the district or county; Provided, That in the district or county of Nacogdoches, there shall be one additional indiviclnnl nnpointed. whose duty it shall be to make
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