Houston v1

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1835

311

Gentlemen I have the honor very respectfully to call your at- tention to the first article of the organic Law of Texas which provides for a military force for the defence of Texas, to wit: "There shall be a regular army for the Protection of Texas, dur- ing the Present war, the Provisional Government will at once perceive the impracticability of my discharging the duties de- volving upon me as the Commander in Chief of the Army untll the officers of the several corps of the Regular Army are ap- pointed, the bounty of the men established and the volunteers placed on such footing as will inspire them with confidence in the cause of Texas. I deem it of importance to the Existence of the Provisional Government as well as to the cause of Texas, That an immediate organization of the army should take place. Some time since I had the Honor of addressing the Governor of Texas on the sub- ject of a proclamation which may be of importance to our in- ternal as well as External relations. So soon as the army is organized by the Council, I will delay no time in raising an army so as to meet the Enemy on the earliest day possible. Munitions of War with provisions and supplies for the army to be organized are not yet contracted for: these are subjects to which I must respectfully and earnestly solicit the most early attention of the General Council- l would further beg leave to suggest that if required to dis- charge the duty I will forthwith dispatch a capable and respon- sible person as a special agent with suitable references to per- sons in the U. States who will aid in procuring the outfits of an army. Sam Houston, Comd in Chief of the forces of Texas 1 Governor and Council Papers, Texas State Library. Executive Letter Book, No. 9, pp. 222-223, ibid. Yoakum, Histo1·y of Texas, II, 447. This copy was made from the Governor and Cozmc.il Pcipers. It differs slightly from the other sources.

To THE PuBL1c 1 San Felipe de Austin, December 5, 1835.

TO THE PUBLIC: I REGRET' to learn that a report is on the road between thi3 place and Nacogdoches, to the effect that there is no need of troop.:; in the army at this time. Troops are and will be wanted at San