WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1835
317
We were without law, and without a constitutional head. The Provisional Executive and the General Council of Texas, are earnestly engaged in their respective duties, preparing for every exigency of the country; and I am satisfied from their zeal, ability, and patriotism, that Texas will have everything to hope from their exertions in behalf of the principles which we have avowed. A regular army has been created, and liberal encouragement has been given by the government. To all who will enlist for two years, or during the war, a bounty of twenty-four dollars and eight hundred acres of land will be given. Provision has also been made for raising an auxiliary volunteer corps, to con- stitute part of the army of Texas, which will be placed under the command, and subject to the orders of the commander-in-Chief. The field for promotion will be open. The terms of service will be various: to those who choose to tender their services for or during the war, will be given a bounty of six·hundred and forty acres of land; an equal bounty will be given to those who volun- teer their services for two years; if for one year, a bounty of three hundred and twenty acres; and those who volunteer for a shorter period, no bounty of land will be given but the same liberal pay, rations, &c., will be allowed them as other members of the army. The rights of citizenship are extended to all who will unite with us in defending the republican principles of the Constitution of 1824. Citizens of Texas, your rights must be defended. The op- pressors must be driven from our soil. Submission to the laws, and union among ourselves will render us invincible; subordina- tion and discipline in our army will guarantee to us victory and renown. Our invader has sworn to extinguish us, or sweep us from the soil. He is vigilant in his work of oppression, and has ordered to T'exas ten thousand men to enforce the unhallowed pur- poses of his ambition. His letters to his subalterns in Texas have been intercepted, and his plans for our destruction have been disclosed 1 z. Departing from the chivalric principles of warfare, he has ordered arms to be distributed to a portion of ou1· population, for the purpose of creating in the midst of us a se1·- vile war 13 • The hopes of the usurper were inspired by a belief that the citizens of Texas were disunited and divided in opinion, and that alone has been the cause of the present invasion of our rights. He shall realize the fallacy of his hopes, in the union of her citizens, and their ETERNAL RESISTANCE to his plans
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