' WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836
31-7
council to the people of Texas, a resolution of the council, requir- ing of me an act of insubordination and disobedience to your orders, demands of me that I should inquire into the nature of , that authority which would stimulate me to an act of treason, ()r an attempt to subvert the government which I have sworn to sup- port. The only constitution which Texas has is the "organic law." Then any violation of that law, which would destroy the basis of government, must be treason. Has treason been com- mitted? If so, by whom, and for what purpose? The history of the last few weeks will be the best answer that can be rendered. After the capitulation of Bexar, it was understood at head- quarters that there was much discontent with the troops then ~t that point, and that it might be necessary to employ them in some active enterprise, or the force would dissolve. With this in- formation was suggested the expediency of an attack on Mata- moras. For the purpose of improving whatever advantages might have been gained at Bexar, I applied to your excellency for orders, which I obtained, directing the adoption of such measures as might be deemed best for the protection of the fron- tier and the reduction of Matamoras. This order was dated 17th of December; and on the same date I wrote to Colonel James Bowie, directing him, in the event he could obtain a sufficient number of volunteers for the purpose, to make a descent on Mata- moras; and, if his force would not justify that measure, he was directed to occupy the most advanced post, so as to check the ene- my, and by all .means to place himself in a situation to com- mand Copano. Colonel Bowie did not receive the order: having left Goliad for Bexar, he was not apprized of it until his arrival at San Felipe, about the first of January instant. My reason for ordering Colonel Bowie on the service was, his familiar ac- quaintance with the country, as well as the nature of the popu- lation through which the troops must pass, as also their resources; and to this I freely add that there is no man on whose forecast, prudence, and valor, I place a higher estimate than Colonel Bowie. Previous to this time, the general council had adopted a reso- lution requiring the governor to direct the removal of the head- quarters of the army, and I had been ordered to Washington, for their establishment, until further orders. I had been detained, awaiting copies of -the ordinances relative to the army. Their design was manifest, nor could their objects be misapprehended, though the extent to which they were carrying them was not known. Messrs. Hanks and Clements were engaged in writing
Powered by FlippingBook