348
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1836 .
letters to individuals at Bexar, urging and authorizing a cam- paign against Matamoras; and, that their recommendation might bear the stamp of authority, and mislead those who were un- willing to embark in an expedition not sanctioned by govern- ment, and led by priv~te individuals, they took the liberty of signing themselves members of the military committee; thereby deceiving the volunteers, and assuming a character which they could only use or employ in the general council, in proposing business for the action of that body. They could not be altogether ignorant of the impropriety of such conduct, but doubtless could easily. find a solid justification in the bullion of their patriotism and the ore of their integrity. Be their motive whatever it might, many brave and honorable men were deluded by it, and the cam- paign was commenced upon Matamoras, under Dr. Grant, as "acting" commander-in-chief of the volunteer army-a title and designation unknown to the world. But the general council, in their address to the people of Texas, dated January 11th, state that "they never recognized in Dr. Grant any authority whatever as an officer of the government, or army, at the time." They will not, I presume, deny that they did acknowledge a draft, or order, drawn by him, as acting cornmancler-in-chief, amounting to seven hundred and fifty dollars. But this they will doubtless justify, on the ground that your excellency commissioned General Burle- son', and, of course, the appointment of Dr. Grant, as his aide- de-camp, would authorize him to act in the absence of General Burleson. It is an established principle in all armies that a staff- officer can claim no command in the line of the army, nor exer- cise any command in the absence of the general, unless he holds . a commission in the line. In the absence of General Burleson, the senior colonel-or, in the absence of the colonel, the major- or, in his absence, the senior captain-would have the command; but in no event can the aide, or staff-officer, unless he holds a commission in the line of the army, have any command; and his existence must cease, uniess he should be continued or .reappointed by the officer of the line who succeeds to the command, in the ab- sence of his superior. When General Burleson left the army, his aide had no command, but the field-officer next in rank to him- self. Then, who is Dr. Grant? 2 Is he not a Scotchman, who has resided in Mexico for the last ten years? does he not own large possessions in the interior? has he ever taken the oath to sup- port the organic law? is he not deeply interested in the hundred- league claims of land which hang like a murky cloud over the
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