gold, silver, copper, lead and iron. AU these will constitu Le subjects for future legislation. But al present, the defence of our country and Lhe achievement of our independence, are absorbing and paramount subjects, to which all the functionaries of government and all patriot ci Lizens, should devote their mosl strenuous and indefatigable exertions. It will, notwithstanding, be apparen L to your discernment, that some internal improvements may be advantageously effected.-The establishment of regular ferries at the river, and Lhe erection of bridges, over many rivulets and bayous, would greatly facilitate the military operations of the country, and conduce to the general convenience. IL cannot .be disguised, that the principal sufferings and losses incident lo the war, have been sustained in very unequal proportions, by the citizens of the country. The population of the Colorado, and west of it, and of the Brazos, have experienced aU the miseries of a successful invation, by a foe whose watchword was death, and whose purpose was extermination; while other and populous sections of the country, have been comparatively exempt from molestation or inconvenience.-Many citizens have suffered an entire devastation of their personal goods; others have had their dwellings destroyed by the enemy; others again have seen theirs given to Lhe flames, by their own countrymen, for purposes connected with the public defence. War is a national calamity, and ought lo be undertaken and prosecuted only for national purposes. IL would seem equitable, that the positive destruction of properly, accruing from the war, should constitute a national loss, and not be borne exclusively, by a few individuals, whose locality happened to be made the theatre of carnage and devastation. The citizens of the Brazos were contending, not for the independence of the Brazos, but of Texas; and the inhabitants of Texas generally, were as deeply interested in the contest as themselves. The sound of the enemy's trumpet has never disturbed the quietude of some regions, while the trampling of his armies, has carried desolation and ruin over the fair surface of others. It belongs to the wisdom, and the justice of congress to determine whether compensation shall be made for losses thus incurred. By an unhappy concatenation of circumstances, the public mind has been attracted to one subject of deep and exciting interest. The Anglo-American settlements in Texas, commenced about fifteen years ago, when our estimable fellow citizen, Stephen F. Austin, the pioneer of pioneers, first disturbed the deep solitudes of Lhe Brazos, with the hum of civilization. For several years,
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