The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906 Page: 243
ix, 294 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Texan Revolutionary Army.
243
but incidentally to make arrangements for fitting out a navy, pro-
cure supplies for the army, and receive donations.'
Of the General Council.-The general council continued to look
in the same direction. In his first message Governor Smith sug-
gested the formation of a corps of "civil and topographical engi-
neers," for what was considered the extremely important work of
fortifying the seaports and frontier towns. The special committee
that considered this recommendation reported their entire accord
with His Excellency, but upon investigation were forced to confess,
they said, "that our country at this moment, whatever it may pos-
sess of enterprise and skill, talent and industry in other branches
of science adapted to the more immediate necessities of a pioneer
population, is nevertheless almost entirely destitute of that species
of knowledge essential to the construction of fortifications and
works of defense. . . . Your committee, therefore,
recommend that we direct our search to the United States, and pro-
cure from thence as many gentlemen of acknowledged scientific at-
tainments in this arm of defense as may be necessary, and that this
important duty be confided to our three agents, Messrs. Austin,
Archer, and Wharton, who are soon to proceed on their mission."
The organization of this force went no further, but the council
took pains to have published in the United States the ordinances
creating the auxiliary corps and fixing the bounty of volunteers,
and, as we have seen, one reason why it delayed the election of offi-
cers for the regular army was the fear that men of high qualifica-
tions would be deterred from coming to Texas unless they could
obtain commissions.2 That this dependence upon the United
States was well placed has been abundantly shown. Loans and
donations of money and provisions were large, and volunteers came
in ever increasing numbers, as the revolution progressed.
6. Overtures to the Mexican Liberals.
By the Consultation.-During the first day's session of the con-
sultation a committee of twelve was appointed to frame "a declara-
tion, setting forth to the world the causes why we have taken up
1Journals of the Consultation, 7, 9, 24, 29, 31, 37; Instructions to the
Commissioners, Austin Papers, N 2.
2Proceedings of the General Council, 13, 29-30, 110-11, 117, 124.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906, periodical, 1906; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101036/m1/247/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.