The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 13, July 1909 - April, 1910 Page: 169
341 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Recognition of the Republic of Texas by the U. S. 169
the reports of the several committees on the Military, Navy, and
Finance have been received and passed.'
Two weeks more were consumed in trying to frame an ordinance
creating a loan of one million dollars, for which the commissioners
were to negotiate.2 Finally, December 4, Provisional Governor
Smith, in his message to the General Council, took up the matter
thus:
It must be acknowledged by all, that our only succour is ex-
pected from the East, where as yet we have not dispatched our
agents, sufficient time has elapsed since the rising of the Conven-
tion, for them, by this time, to have arrived in the United States.
They have called on me, in vain, day after day, time after time,
for their dispatches, at least some of them, and they are not yet
ready. I say to you, the fate of Texas depends upon their imme-
diate dispatch and success. Why then delay a matter of such vital
importance, and give place to minor matters which could be much
better delayed? Permit me to beg of you a suspension of all other
business, until our Foreign Agents are dispatched."
Accordingly, on the next day an ordinance was passed authoriz-
ing the governor to issue to the commissioners4 instructions as
follows: they were to negotiate a loan of one million dollars and
receive donations for Texas; to purchase supplies for the govern-
ment, such as munitions of war, provisions, war vessels, etc.; to
appoint agents for the government in the principal cities, subject
only to themselves; to grant letters of marque and reprisal; and
finally to open communications with the United States government
relative to the political situation of Texas, under such instructions
as the governor might deem prudent, in the present revolutionary
condition of Texas and Mexico. On the 7th the governor's formal
'Gammel, Laws of Texas. I, 31.
2Barker, "Texas Revolutionary Finances," in Political Science Quar-
terly, XIX, 628.
8Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 623-624.
'Both Austin and Wharton had decided to go. The personal enmlty,
which had long existed between them and which had been augmented in
'the fall of 1835 by their differing views toward declaring independence,
did not wear away until after they had worked together for a while in
New Orleans (Austin to McKinney, January 21, 1836, Austin Pa.pers).
"Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 956-958.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 13, July 1909 - April, 1910, periodical, 1910; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101051/m1/189/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.