Provisional Government on the 2nd of December. It related to the preparations then in progress by the Centralists for the invasion of Texas, and the consequent necessity of calling a new Convention.

"At the time of the former elections, the people did not and could not fully understand their true situation; for it was not known then, to a certainty, what changes would take place in Mexico, what kind of government would be established, or what course would be pursued towards Texas. It was only known then that the Central party was in power, that all its measures tended to the destruction of the Federal System, and that preparations were making to invade Texas.

"But, at the present time, the people know that the government is changed-that Centralism is established by the decree of the 3rd of October last, and that they are threatened with annihilation. In short, the whole picture is now clearly before their view, and they see the dangers that are hanging over them. Can these dangers be averted by a provisional organization, which is based upon a declaration that is equivocal, and liable to different constructions? Does not the situation of the country require a more fixed and stable state of things? In short, is it not necessary that Texas should now say in plain, and positive, and unequivocal language, what is the position she occupies, and will occupy and can such a declaration be made without a new and direct resort to the people, by calling, as speedily as possible, a Convention, with plenary powers, based upon the principle of equal representation in proportion to the population?

"These are questions of the most vital importance. I respectfully submit them to the calm deliberation of the Provisional Government, in the full confidence that all the attention will be given to the subject which its importance merits.

"Without expressing any individual opinion of my own, as to the time or day when the new elections ought to take place, which would, perhaps, be indecorous in such a com

munication as this, the object of which is to lay facts before the Provisional Government, I deem it to be my duty to say, that so far as I could judge of the opinions and wishes of the citizens who were in the Volunteer Army when I left them on the 25th ult., they were in favour of an immediate election of a Convention, with plenary power."

The Consultation which had established the Provisional Government for Texas had adjourned until the 1st of March, to be convened sooner at the discretion of the Governor and Council, whom they authorised to advise a new election of delegates with ampler powers than they possessed. It was the opinion of many that the functions of the Consultation should have ceased with the occasion of its meeting, it being intended rather to act as a General Council, under a great emergency, than as a legislative body. The representation of the different municipalities, although the best, according to circumstances at the time of ordering the election, was unsatisfactory -the number of delegates not being proportioned to the amount of population in the several jurisdictions. The Consultation was chosen, too, at a period when the country was distracted by conflicting opinions -some disbelieving that the Federal System was destroyed, or had even been attacked-others, moved by intemperate zeal, clamouring for independence -the majority being decidedly in favour of declaring, in clear and unequivocal terms, for the Constitution of 1824. For these reasons, rendered weightier by the very critical situation of public affairs, did the Colonists desire the election of a new Convention, with plenary powers. With the overthrow of the Federal Constitution, the struggle had

assumed a more solemn aspect. To the people of Texas it was no longer a question of forms of government, but of life or death. The first to forewarn and the last to inflame, Stephen Austin, true to his inherited trust, discerned the gathering of the thundercloud beyond the Rio Grande, and gave timely intimation to those over whose dwellings and fields it was destined to spread havoc and desolation.

CHAPTER XI.

Siege of Bexar-Impatience of the Colonists-Mexican Deserter -Resolution of Milam and others-Entrance of a Storming Party into Bexar-Death of Milam, and Surrender of General Cos-Landing of Mexia at Tampico-Resolution of the Provisional Government for assembling a Convention-Measures of Defence-Proclamation by General Houston-Indian Mission -Operation of the Militia System in the United States-Indian Encroachments-Volunteers-Opinions respecting a Declaration of Independence.

THE “Federal Volunteer Army of Texas" had marched to the siege of Bexar at the close of the finest month of the Texan year. Their spirits were animated by occasional successes, and the hope of reducing the strongest post in the country, and thereby terminating the campaign, and ridding themselves of the detested military, sustained them under many hardships and privations. But, unaccustomed to the restraints of a camp-impatient of a protracted siege their term of volunteer service exceeded, and their families anxious for their return-December, with its fitful northers and drenching rains, was about to find them unprovided with winter clothing, suffering from insufficient food, and with no immediate prospect of accomplishing their vaunted enterprise.

As an inducement to prosecute the siege, the Provisional Government had promised twenty dollars to each man who would remain with the army until its close. To many, however, this must have

appeared a poor equivalent for absence from their homes. Numbers departed daily, and but few arrived; and it was necessary to devise some extraordinary plan for keeping a sufficient force together. At a general parade an appeal was made to the patriotism of the volunteers, and such as were willing to testify their devotion to the cause by serving for thirty days longer, or until Bexar was taken, were requested to signify their disposition by advancing in front of the line. The expected demonstration was nearly universal; but the men, wearied with idly gazing at the walls of the beleaguered town, importuned the general to order an immediate assault. One day, and then another, were successively named for indulging their ardour, but nothing was done; and, on the evening of the 4th of December, the order was given to break up the camp and retire into winter quarters.

It happened on the eve of their intended dispersion that the Texans were informed by a Mexican deserter that a number of the soldiers in Bexar were disaffected to Santa Anna and the Centralists, and that it would not be difficult to capture the place. But this doubtful intelligence was a slight counterpoise to the obvious perils of the undertaking. Almost every house in San Antonio de Bexar was in itself a little fort, being built of stone, with walls about three feet and a half in thickness. The approaches to the public square had been strongly fortified with breast-works, trenches, and palisadoes, protected by artillery; cannon were also planted on the roof of the old church in the square, which commanded the town and its environs. Both