The treachery in Texas, the secession of Texas, and the arrest of the United States officers and soldiers serving in Texas. Read before the New-York Historical Society, June 25, 1861. By Major J. T. Sprague, U. S. A. Page: 15 of 36

DOCUMENTS.

121

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arrived in this city a few hours after the negotiations
with Gen. Twiggs had been closed. Since
that time, the undersigned have been actively engaged
in settling questions connected with the
movements of the troops towards the coast, and
arranging the necessary means for their transportation.
Competent persons have been selected to proceed
to, and take charge of, the property at the
posts about being abandoned by the Federal
troops. Bonds, with sufficient securities, have
been required and given, for the faithful execution
of the duties entrusted to the agents. Small
detachments of men, for the protection of the
buildings and public property at each post, have
been despatched under the orders of Col. McCulloch.
The detachments sent to the different
posts, vary in number from ten to twenty-five.
They will remain at the points designated until
further action is had by the Convention, or Legislature
of the State. On this subject, see document
number twenty-five.
On the morning of the twenty-fifth ultimo, information
having been received that Capt. King,
"U. S. A.," encamped with his company near
this city, had enlisted a soldier to serve in the
army of the late United States Government, a
note was despatched to Col. Waite, demanding
the immediate discharge of the enlisted man, and
requesting that no further enlistments should be
permitted by him in Texas. For his reply, announcing
the discharge of the soldier, and stating
that nothing of the kind would be permitted by
him, see documents numbers 17 and 18.
In the performance of the duties confided to
the undersigned, in reference to obtaining all public
moneys or funds, the most determined unwillingness
to give any information has been displayed
by the disbursing officers in this city, with
the exception of Major Macklin, Paymaster; Capt.
Reynolds, Assistant Quartermaster, and Capt. W.
B. Blair, Chief of Commissary Department.
On the evening after the surrender of the property
and posts in San Antonio, the safe of Capt.
Reynolds, in his office at the Alamo, was taken
possession of. The amount of public funds contained
therein is between nine and ten thousand
dollars. This amount is more than covered by
the debts previously contracted with and due
citizens.
With a view of securing to the people of Texas
the sums due them, and to prevent the money
from being carried out of the State, as also with
the intention of securing any surplus funds, and
for the purpose of ascertaining the debts due our
citizens, with the desire of having some reliable
data upon which the State might act with reference
to the honest or fradulent claims that will,
in all probability, be brought against her, as the
recipient of the Federal property in Texas, the
Commissioners repeatedly requested a statement
from the disbursing officers, of the funds and
credits belonging to their departments, with a list
of the debts contracted by them in the State. On
the twenty-second of February, 1861, the request
was again made, and the questions set forth in

the document numbered twenty, were presented,
and answers required. Capt. Blair, Commissary,
and Major Macklin, Paymaster, have answered.
By the answer of Capt. Blair, it will be seen that
the debts exceed the funds and credits of his department.
From the statement of Major Macklin,
it appears that the sum of twenty-three thousand
four hundred and seventy-two dollars will
remain after all claims against his department have
been liquidated. This money is supposed to be
en route from New-Orleans to this city, and
measures have been taken by the undersigned to
seize and secure it. Upon receiving the answers of
Capt. Blair and Major Macklin, the guard placed
upon their offices were immediately withdrawn.
See answers of Capt. Blair and Major Macklin,
marked numbers twenty-seven and twenty-eight.
Major Vinton, Chief Quartermaster, Major McClure,
Paymaster, and Capt. Whiteley, Chief of
Ordnance, having refused to answer, or give any
information on the subject, the guards placed
upon their offices on the twenty-seventh ult.,
still remain. It is proper to state, that Major
Macklin and Capt. Blair were willing, from the beginning
of the enquiry, to make a statement, and
that guards were placed at their offices more for
the purpose of preventing invidious remarks, than
from any other cause. For further information
respecting the demands for public funds, see documents
numbered from 2 to 28 inclusive.
In a previous communication, you were informed
that Major Macklin had been appointed to
take charge of the Ordnance Department, and to
act as Adjutant and Inspector General, until further
action by your body or the Convention. He
has resigned his position in the United States Army,
and has entered upon the duties assigned
him. You were also informed that Capt. Rey.
nolds had been appointed to control the Quartermaster's
Department, etc. He has tendered his
resignation, and is awaiting the action of the authorities
at Washington. Messrs. Maverick and
Luckett are at present, assisted by competent
agents, performing the duties connected with the
Quartermaster's Department.
The two companies of United States troops,
formerly stationed in this city, passed through
on their march to the coast this morning.
The expenses connected with the action of the
Commissioners have been paid, or, to some extent,
assumed by them, while the outlay caused
by the transportation of the United States troops
to the coast, will be paid by their officers. The
expenses incident to the protection and management
of the property now belonging to Texas
must be paid by her. An estimate of the liabilities
which have accrued, will be presented for
your consideration. All needless expenses have
been cut off, both as regards the rent of buildings
and the employment of men. A still greater re
duction will be made in a few days.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
THOMAS J. DEvINE,
P. N. LUCKETT,
S. A. MAVERICK,
Commiaroners on behalf of Com. of Public Safety.