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: 10 of 36
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.116
REBELLION RECORD, 1860-61.
such
business as relates to the disposition of t
public property. On the receipt of this commu
t
nication, on the morning of the ninth, we replied c
that we would neet the military commission at t
twelve o'clock that day, at such place as they a
might designate, and if that hour did not suit 3
their convenience, then at such time and place as (
they might designate that afternoon. The an
I
swer expressed a desire to meet the Committee
at Gen. Twiggs's, at ten o'clock A.M., on the eleventh.
We will to-morrow present our request in 1
writing, and the answer will enable the Committee
to judge with a reasonable certainty whether 4
the whole preceeding is not intended for delay, 1
until Gen. Twiggs can call in several companies
from the outposts, and the additional reenforcements
of several soldiers en route with a provi
3
sion-train from the coast for Arizona. Upon one
point Gen. Twiggs is fixed, and apparently unalterable,
that is, that the troops in Texas under
his command, shall retain all their arms, with
the means to carry them out of the State.
What do you think of that ? Please give the views
of the Committee on this and every other subject
connected with our mission, as fully and speedily
as possible. We again repeat, that it is not desirable
that a single company of United States
troops shall move to New-Mexico or Arizona. If
the troops of the Northern Government concentrate
in either of those territories, we believe,
from their peculiar position, that it will fix
their status as "free soil" territories, and leave
us a nest of hornets to deal with in future.
We will require means for the subsistence of
the troops that may be called out by Gen. McCulloch,
or from this city and vicinity; we desire
some information on thir, point, as your Committee
must be aware that the readiness with which
the necessary expenses are met in the commencement,
may have a salutary influence in many
respects upon our cause in the future.
If there is any action had, or information obtained
respecting the northern posts, it might be
desirable that we should be put in possession of
such information, as it may influence our action
materially. Very respectfully
THOS. J. DEVINE,
S. A. MAVERICK,
P. N. LUCKETT.
To this rornmunication the Chairman of the
Committee returned the following answer, which
met with the approbation of the Committee:
AUSTIN, TEXAs, February 12,1861.
Thoma4 J. Devine, S. A. Maverick, P. N. Luckett,
Commissioners.
GENTLEMEN: Your letter bearing date of the
tenth inst., to me, has been received. In view
of the Committee's departure this afternoon, for
Galveston, they cannot be got together, even if it
were necessary. The result of the action of the
Committee on the subjects contained in this communication,
I think is full, and hope will meet
your views. The Committee do not desire to
dishonor the army, by requiring anything of
them which wjuld seem to do so. If you havet
t
c
t.
i
I
.1
I
I
1
4
4
1
1
1_
.o resort to force, (actual,) and are successfil,
then we suppose, of course, they would be vanquished
and submit to your terms; but if you
;reat with them as gentlemen, as equals, of course
we would not desire anything dishonorable to be
yielded by them. But this is mere speculation
on my part. The instructions, we think, will
meet with your views; if not, you have a large
discretion. As to whether they should be permitted
to go out into Arizona and New-Mexico,
the Committee have very wisely left that matter
discretionary with you. It is the opinion, however,
of some of the Committee, that it can make
but little difference in which direction they leave
the country.
It is suggested that they might land below the
mouth of the Rio Grande, and travel up into Arizona
and New-Mexico; beside, if it is the policy
of the United States of the North to concentrate
a force in those territories, we could not prevent
it by requiring these to go by way of the coast.
It is a matter of some importance to know how
they could subsist in those territories at this
time. The productions of those territories could
not subsist them a week without ruin to the few
who are there. Many of the Committee do not
think Gen. Twiggs so recklessly regardless of his
native South, as to inaugurate a guerrilla warfare
upon her border. But, gentlemen, you are in the
midst of the circumstances, and can best judge
of what to do. Relying upon your wisdom and
prudence, we leave it with you.
We will start to-day for Galveston, where we
hope to get some money, and if successful, we will
promptly express a part to you.
In behalf of the Committee I assure you of our
sincere desire for your success in your patriotic
enterprise, -and of our personal regard for each of
you.
I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,
JOHN C. ROBERTSON,
Chairman Committee of Public Safety.
The Committee remained in painfull suspense,
and looked with no ordinary anxiety for the next
news from said Commissioners and from Colonel
McCulloch, believing, as they did, that a conflict
was inevitable. The Committee felt many gloomy
forebodings; not that they doubted the result of
the conflict, for they had every confidence in the
gallantry and chivalry of the Texas volunteers,
and in the military skill, prudence and bravery
of the officer in command. The Committee likewise
drew great consolation from their reliance
upon the prudence and wisdom of the Commissioners.
The Committee were happily relieved
by the following communication from the Commissioners,
which is submitted with the accompanying
documents.
SAN ANTONIO, February 18, 1862.
Hon. J C. Robertson, Chairman of Committee
of Public Safety:
SIR: We have at last completed the principal
part of the business confided to our management.
In our communication of the eighth inst., we informed
you that we had called in the aid of the vol
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Sprague, John Titcomb. 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., book, 1862; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6102/m1/10/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .