This was in complete agreement with the policy of the consultation. In his inaugural address the chairman of that body had said, “Some of our brethren of the United States of the North . . . have generously come to our aid, many more ere long will be with us. . . . The path to promotion must be open, they must know that deeds of chivalry and heroism will meet their rewards” (Journals of the consultation, 8). But the greatest influence was probably exerted on the committee by a letter from J. W. Fannin, Jr., which they had considered on December 4. Fannin was sure that many West Point graduates would come to Texas, if commands were reserved for them.—Fannin to Smith, November 31 [sic], 1835, in archives of Texas, D, file 6, No. 555. Part of the letter is printed in the Quarterly, VII 324-25.)
