ANALYSIS OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL,
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF TEXAS, 1835-1836
II
One of the elements necessary to the complete success of any
government is a well filled treasury. This the Provisional Govern-
ment did not have. By the organic law the governor and Council
were empowered to contract a loan of one million dollars and to
levy and collect impost and tonnage duties;
1 a liberal interpreta-
tion of that document might have given them authority to levy
taxes. Attempts were made to raise funds by practically every
means known to governments, but little actual money found its
way into the treasury during the brief tenure of the Provisional
Government. Despite their lack of success, the attempts made to
procure funds, and the conditions provided for disbursement of
public monies and recognition of the accounts which could not
be paid are of interest.
The committee on finance was one of the five standing com-
mittees, and guided the Council in fiscal matters. The office of
treasurer was proposed in the organic law, and had been urged by
the governor in his initial message. An ordinance creating the
office was signed by the governor an January 26, following his
veto of an earlier proposal. It was the duty of the treasurer to
receive and disburse all "monies and securities" belonging to the
Provisional Government. Disbursements were to be made upon
order of the General Council, approved and signed by the governor,
and attested by the secretary to the executive. This method was
somewhat tedious, but had the advantage of being safe. The treas-
urer, in the performance of his duties was to be advised by the
committee on finance. This officer was required to give bond to
the governor, in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars,
2
an unusually large amount in view of the small sum of money
actually to come into his keeping, but Texans were optimistic in
1835. Joshua Fletcher was chosen treasurer pro
tem.
of the pro-
visional government,
3 and was later given the permanent appoint-
ment.
The Council soon came to dislike the constant consideration of
financial matters involving only a very few dollars, and December 1,
the committee on state and judiciary proposed a measure simpli-
fying the procedure of drawing drafts on the treasurer. The com-
committee on finance was to draw an order on the treasurer for any
account owed by the government, which order was to be signed
by the chairman of the committee, and was to be a sufficient
voucher in settlement of accounts with the treasurer. The com-
mittee on finance was to report all such orders to the Council in
order that they might be placed on record.
4 Governor Smith
thought that the new method was more simple than wise, and
was also convinced that it placed too much authority in the hands
of the committee. He accordingly vetoed the measure. The Coun-
cil, however, was determined to free itself from the continuous con-
sideration of trivial accounts, and proceeded to pass the ordinance
over the veto.
5
The finance committee had no desire to take upon itself the
entire burden cast aside by the Council, and, December 11, Henry
Millard, the chairman of this committee, offered a resolution cre-
ating a standing committee on public accounts, "to consist of one
member from each of the principal standing committees, except
the committee of finance, with the chief clerk of the state and
judiciary and finance committees, who shall act as clerk or sec-
retary of said committee of public accounts." It was the duty of
this committee to "receive, audit, and register" the accounts pre-
sented to the Council, keep an accurate record of them, and report
twice each week.
6 The resolution was adopted, and Royall, Parker,
West, and Kerr were appointed to serve on the new committee.
The system was still unsatisfactory, and December 26, Wyatt
Hanks presented an ordinance creating the offices of auditor and
comptroller of public accounts. The measure was passed by the
Council, but vetoed by the governor, who objected to the wording
of the ordinance as being ambiguous.
7 The Council refused to
believe the ordinance poorly written, and it was promptly passed
over the veto.
This measure abolished the committee on public accounts, and
created an auditor and a comptroller as the fiscal officers of the
government. It was made the duty of the auditor to examine all
claims against the government, admit those claims found to be
just, and keep an accurate record of all claims so admitted. Claims
for less than $4,000 were to be presented by the auditor to the
comptroller for examination and approval. If a claim for less
than $4,000 was approved by the comptroller, the auditor was
to draw a draft on the treasurer in payment, which draft was to
be countersigned by the comptroller. Claims for more than $4,000
were to be presented by the auditor to the Council for approval,
or, in case the Council was not in session, to the governor. When
approved by the Council, or by the governor, the claim was to
be disposed of in the same manner as smaller claims. Drafts in
payment of claims were to be carefully numbered by the auditor
who was to keep a strict record of them. Both auditor and comp-
troller were required to make weekly reports to the Council if in
session, and in the absence of the Council to the governor.
8 John
W. Moody was appointed auditor and John H. Money comptroller.
9
The life of an auditor was none too easy in those days, and in
a short time Moody was being investigated for failure to make a
report. His failure to report was due to lack of paper, ink, quills,
and other things necessary to the successful operation of an
auditor's office. The committee recommended that he be allowed
$25 with which to purchase necessary supplies, but the reso-
lution was tabled.
10
Some members of the house were still of the opinion that the
treasury was not operating as it should, and December 7, R. R.
Royall presented an ordinance "for the better accommodation of
claims against the treasury." The treasurer was ordered to have
printed $150,000 in treasury notes. These notes, in denominations
of from $1.00 to $100, were to be printed in "neat form," and were
to be received in payment for land, or any other public dues. They
might be redeemed with any money, not otherwise appropriated,
which happened to find its way into the treasury. Government
agents were to receive these notes at face value in payment of
dues, but in making their reports should pay to the government
no more notes than they had actually received in payment of
dues.
11 Four members of the Council, Clements, Kerr, Barrett,
and Tucker were opposed to the measure. Investigation fails to
indicate that these notes were issued, and in all probability they
were not, as Smith refused to sign the ordinance and it was not
signed by Robinson until January 20, at which time the Council
was unable to muster a quorum.
By January 15 it was apparent that the Council was soon to
be without a quorum, and plans were made for the operation of
the government when the Council could no longer act. Barrett
introduced a resolution, January 16, providing for the appoint-
ment of a committee on finance to consist of four members. The
committee was to have all powers in matters of finance that had
belonged to the Council, and was to perform all acts "connected
with the object of their appointment," as completely as the "Council
has heretofore done."
12 This resolution was adopted January 17,
the last day the Council claimed to have a quorum, and was signed
by Robinson.
Following this discussion of the means by which the government
saw fit to recognize the claims of its citizens, it should be of interest
to examine more closely the nature of the accounts studied and
approved by the Council, its committees, the auditor, and the
comptroller. It was resolved by the Council, December 2, to appro-
priate $25 to cover the expenses of Stephen McLaughlin while
bearing an express from Nacogdoches to the army. Two days later
the account of Baker and Borden for printing, amounting to
$593.75, was allowed. December 9, an ordinance was introduced
authorizing the governor to draw upon the commissioners to the
United States in favor of Bartolomé Pajes for $867 in payment
for fifty-one horses pressed into service by Captain Dimitt, com-
mandant of the garrison at Goliad. A similar order was given,
December 13, in favor of Juan Jervitt, in payment for horses
purchased from him by Dimitt; this time, however, the treasurer
was authorized to draw the draft on the commissioners. On
Christmas day William L. Armstrong was granted $10 for his
services in the volunteer army, and the following day N. Roderigues
was allowed $25 for taking care of horses. Royall, January 7,
introduced a resolution allowing $100 to G. Logan, who had been
wounded at Bexar.
13 These, of course, are simply a few repre-
sentative petitions, but serve to show the amount of time the
Council would have had to devote to claims had it attempted to
handle all of them.
Despite the fact that the Council devoted much time to the
regulation of disbursements, a far more serious problem, and one
which was not successfully solved, was the creation of a revenue.
Gouge somewhat uncharitably states:
They turned their attention to the ways and means which
other governments have resorted to in times of exigency. They
found that they might all be resolved into taxing, borrowing,
begging, selling, and (if it be permitted to use such rough
words), robbing and cheating, and they appear to have deter-
mined to try all six.
14
There is a degree of exaggeration in applying the terms begging,
robbing, and cheating to the attempts to raise revenue; and in
reality there was little taxing and selling, while the borrowing
was authorized by the Consultation and approved by the Con-
vention.
Almost immediately following its organization the Council
turned some attention to the creation of a revenue, but it was
not until November 27, that the committee on finance made an
interesting, though verbose, report on the ways and means avail-
able to the Provisional Government. In this lengthy report it
was stated that revenue could be raised by the sale of public lands,
a tax of one dollar per capita on all slaves over fourteen and
under fifty years of age, a tax on foreign tonnage, an export tax
of one-fourth cent per pound on cotton, and duties on imports.
Of these means import duties could most speedily be made prac-
ticable. The picture here presented of the potential resources of
the government was "flattering and exhilarating," but the com-
mittee could not believe the immediate needs of the government
could be met in this way, and suggested a loan as being the only
practical means of supplying the government with an immediate
revenue. An ordinance was presented authorizing the creation of
a loan for the use of the Provisional Government.
15
Since all were agreed that the condition of the treasury could
be most speedily relieved by means of a loan, the attempts of the
Council to raise money in that way will be given first attention.
As early as November 19, the committee on state and judiciary
was instructed to prepare an ordinance pledging the public land and
the faith of the country for the payment of principal and interest
of money borrowed, or property purchased by agents of the Coun-
cil.
16 No independent ordinance of this nature was reported, but
the pledge was included in the various ordinances providing for the
creation of loans. A select committee to prepare instructions to
the agents to the United States reported, November 21, that a
general act concerning the instructions should originate in the
committee on state and judiciary, with the instructions then to
be given the commissioners by the governor. The committee took
the liberty, induced by the "emergency and great press of busi-
ness," to introduce an ordinance authorizing Thomas F. McKinney,
a Velasco merchant, to borrow one hundred thousand dollars, and
requiring that the governor issue to him the necessary instruc-
tions.
17 Payment of the loan was not to be required in less than
one year, and the rate of interest was not to exceed ten per cent.
18
In passing this ordinance the Council was simply recognizing
authority which had been extended to McKinney several months
earlier by the Permanent Council, and which had later been
approved by the Consultation.
19 Governor Smith had made no
mention of such a loan in his message to the Council, and was
unwilling for that body to assume the initiative in such a manner.
He accordingly vetoed the ordinance. For the first time the
Council made use of the power of annulling the executive veto,
and the ordinance was repassed by their unanimous vote.
20
McKinney was willing to undertake the task, but felt the
authority should be granted the firm of McKinney and Williams,
and not McKinney as an individual. Accordingly a second ordi-
nance was passed January 8, giving the instructions to McKinney
and Williams. They were to borrow $100,000 if possible, but if
they were unable to get the full amount they might negotiate for
any part of it. In case the loan was made for a period of four
years or more the commissioners to the United States were to be
informed of the transaction. The firm was authorized to retain
a sufficient amount of the loan to reimburse them for their ad-
vances to the Provisional Government, and it repealed all earlier
ordinances that gave a similar power to McKinney.
21 This ordi-
nance, which in an earlier form was the first to be passed over
the veto, was the last measure signed by Henry Smith.
After spending some time in secret session and in committee
of the whole the Council adopted, December 4, an ordinance cre-
ating the loan for $1,000,000 which had been authorized by the
Consultation.
22 The loan was to be negotiated by Austin, Archer,
and Wharton, any two of them, or any one of them. It was to be
arranged at the best terms afforded by the market, and under no
condition was to be at a higher interest rate than ten per cent.
The loan was to take the form of ten bonds, of $100,000 each,
which were to be prepared by order of the governor, signed by
the governor and the president of the Council, and attested by
the secretaries. They were to run for a period of not less than
five, nor more than ten years. All money obtained from the sale
or pledge of the bonds, "or loan otherwise effected," was to be
deposited in New Orleans banks subject to orders of the Pro-
visional Government.
23 These original instructions were modified
from time to time by ordinances ordering the purchase of supplies
and equipment for army and navy.
The governor was ordered, December 6, to give to each of the
commissioners a draft on McKinney and Williams for $500. By
the same ordinance the commissioners were empowered to draw
upon any agent or bank having funds belonging to Texas for
the sum of $2,000 each, in order to defray the expenses of their
mission.
24
The commissioners corresponded with the governor and the
Council as often as conditions demanded, but the Council had
ceased to exist by the time they succeeded in borrowing any
money, and the report of their success was consequently referred
to the Convention for ratification. A committee of the Conven-
tion reported March 9, that the terms of the loan were none too
attractive, but were possibly the best that could be had under
existing circumstances, and accordingly recommended that the
arrangement be ratified.
25
As has been seen, the committee on finance in its verbose report
of November 27, proposed the adoption of import duties and
tonnage duties. In keeping with the recommendation of its com-
mittee the Council, December 8, passed an ordinance "establishing
and imposing Duties on Imports and Tonnage, and for other pur-
poses."
26 It was signed by the governor without comment.
The ordinance created six revenue districts along the coast and
named a port of entry for each, as follows:
In addition to the six districts along the coast, a seventh district
was created to include all of the eastern border of Texas from
the mouth of the Sabine to the Red River. The place of entry
and collection for this district was to be "the residence of Maxa-
million, near the Sabine River." Collectors for the various dis-
tricts were to be appointed by the governor and Council. There
was levied a duty of twenty per cent on all goods entitled to a
debenture at the port of exportation, and a duty of ten per cent
on all imports not entitled to a debenture. A system of credit
was established which gave credit to the large importer. Duty
amounting to less than $100 had to be paid in cash. If the duty
amounted to more than $100, but less than $500, credit was to
be granted for sixty days; and in case the duty on a given ship-
ment was more than $500 credit was to be given for a period of
six months. The penalty for smuggling was forfeiture of the
goods plus a fine which was not to exceed the full value of
the goods. A smuggler who failed to pay his fine was to serve
eighteen months in jail.
27
This ordinance was hurriedly drawn and members of the Council
were not well pleased with it. Royall presented a supplementary
measure, December 13, which was immediately passed by the
Council.
28 A tonnage duty of $1.25 was levied on each ship of
more than ten tons burthen which arrived in Texas from a foreign
port. The duty on all "whiskey, American gin, rum and brandy"
was changed from an ad
valorem
duty to a specific duty of
twelve and one-half cents per gallon.
29
The Council was still dissatisfied, and December 19 a select
committee appointed for the purpose of revising the revenue laws
made its report. The committee pointed out several objections to
the original ordinance, and suggested a general revision.
30 The
committee proposal was passed by the Council, December 27, and
was approved by the governor on the same day.
The revenue district including the boundary of Texas from the
mouth of the Sabine to the Red River was slightly changed, and
was given the name of Milam. The port of entry for this district
was changed from Maxamillion's to Earles'. The other districts
remained practically the same, with the exception that the district
of Jackson was given the name of La Bacca. Commissioners were
to be appointed by the Council and commissioned by the governor.
In all cases assistants were to be appointed by, and bonded to,
the commissioners, who were in turn bonded to the governor. The
duty on products entitled to a debenture at the port of exportation
was increased to twenty-five per cent, while the duty on commod-
ities not entitled to a debenture was increased to fifteen per cent.
An exception was made in the case of whiskey, rum, gin, and
brandy--all of American manufacture--in that these products
were to pay a specific duty of twelve and one-half cents per gallon.
All goods brought to Texas by immigrants for their own use were
to be free of duty, as were bacon, pork, breadstuffs, lumber for
building, and supplies expressly imported for the use of the gov-
ernment. All international vessels of more than ten tons burthen
were to pay a tonnage duty of $1.25, while all vessels engaged in
the coasting trade were to pay a tonnage duty of twelve and one-
half cents per ton. All vessels were to pay an entrance fee of
$2.00 and a clearance fee of $3.00. Under the revised ordinance
duty of less than $300 had to be paid in cash, sixty days credit
was allowed on duty of more than $300 and less than $500, while
shipments requiring the payment of more than $500 were allowed
credit for a period of four months. When credit was extended,
suitable bond had to be furnished the collector. The penalty for
smuggling remained the same, and was the forfeiture of the goods,
plus a fine not exceeding the value of the goods. Smugglers
unable to pay the fine were to serve a prison term of eighteen
months. Of the confiscated goods, one-half was to go to the state,
one-fourth to the informer, and one-fourth to the collector of the
district involved for prosecuting the case. Vessels engaged in
smuggling were to be confiscated and the crew fined and impris-
oned. All vessels navigating Texas waters were to be licensed, if
under twenty-one tons burthen, or registered, if over twenty-one
tons burthen. Pilots were to be appointed and licensed by col-
lectors of the various districts, and were to receive "two dollars
per foot for each foot of water that the vessel may draw," when
they had piloted a vessel into port. The captain of a vessel was
under no obligation to take a pilot, and if he saw fit to pilot
his own vessel into port he was to pay only "half pilotage."
31
This ordinance was an improvement over its predecessor, and
apparently met with the approval of the Council as there was
no further discussion of the subject.
The duties were to become effective immediately, and for this
reason did not meet the approval of Thomas F. McKinney, who
wrote the Council that the ordinance would work a serious handicap
on the firm of McKinney and Williams. According to McKinney,
he and Williams had devoted so much of their time to the service of
the government, that they had delayed making their purchases,
and found their goods subject to the tariff, while their competitors,
who had devoted no time to the welfare of the country, had stocked
their shelves before the import duties became effective. In answer
to this letter the Council passed an act exempting McKinney and
Williams from payment of duties on all goods shipped before the
ordinance was passed.
32 This exemption was not to extend to
any future purchases of the firm.
For some reason the Convention decided the Provisional Gov-
ernment had no authority to levy tariff duties, and adopted a
resolution declaring "that the act of laying imposts, passed by
the provisional government is null, void and of no effect;" and
all duties that had been collected were ordered returned.
33 This
was done in spite of the fact that the Provisional Government was
specifically granted this power by the organic law.
During the tenure of the Provisional Government numerous
gifts were made to Texas by her own citizens, and by citizens of
the United States, It would be futile to list all of these con-
tributions, but some must be listed since Gouge implies that the
acceptance of these gifts was no less than official begging. General
Houston presented the Council with $100, November 30, which
was the contribution of John Hutchins, of Natchez, Mississippi.
The Council promptly adopted resolutions thanking the donor.
The agents of Texas to the United States were authorized to
receive all monies and donations of any kind offered them. Early
in December the treasurer received a United States note for $1,000;
seemingly this was of too large a denomination to be of use in
Texas, as the Council adopted a resolution instructing the treasurer
to pass the bill to Thomas Gay for a similar amount in cash or
smaller bills. A resolution of December 30 recognized a loan of
$1,100 made the government by William Brookfield.
34 Numerous
other gifts of money and supplies were made as reference to the
journal will show.
Closing the land offices naturally precluded the sale of the
public domain as a means of raising revenue. The Council made
tardy efforts, however, to collect fees due the government for land
previously purchased. An ordinance appointing collectors of public
dues was passed December 28, and was immediately followed by
a supplementary one. Together they provided one collector of
dues for each of the departments, and such assistants as he might
think necessary. The collector was to make quarterly returns to
the treasurer, and was to be allowed ten per cent of his collec-
tions provided the total amount received by him was never to
exceed $1,000 per year. They were to be governed by the laws
which had previously governed collectors in Texas, and all per-
sons acting as collectors without authority of the Council were
ordered to cease their operations, and turn over the money in their
possession to the newly appointed officials. The collectors were re-
quired to receive as payment for public dues such treasury orders
as had been lawfully passed, but were required to take oath that
they were submitting to the treasurer only those orders actually
received in payment of dues.
35 A second supplementary act was
passed just before the Council became inoperative. This act gave
to commissioners power to receive in payment of an account a
treasury order of more than the necessary amount. He was to
endorse upon the order the amount for which it was accepted, and
return it to the owner, taking triplicate receipts for the amount
paid. If followed, this policy undoubtedly made necessary some
intricate bookkeeping. It was also provided that any person owing
the government might pay all that he owed, whether the total
amount was due or not. In case this was done several receipts
were to be issued, the same as would have been done had the
amount been paid in separate installments.
36 This ordinance was
signed by Robinson.
The government also took charge of stamp paper--at least that
in possession of the officer at San Felipe. Kerr was made a com-
mittee of one to get the paper, and reported to the Council that
the stamp officer had turned over to him fifty-three sheets of
signed stamp paper, and one hundred and twenty-two sheets of
unsigned stamp paper. The paper was promptly disposed of, and
the money placed in the treasury.
37
From time to time the Council authorized the sale of public
property for which there was no immediate need. For example,
Claiborne West was appointed, January 7, to sell a horse which
had been pledged by an express rider, and redeemed by the Council
for $14. West reported, January 8, that the horse had been sold
for $36 and the money placed in the treasury.
38 A resolution was
adopted, January 16, instructing the sheriff of each municipality
to take charge of all public property in his municipality, and to
sell at public auction any property which seemed to be "wasting
away." The sheriff was to receive for his services ten per cent
of the money obtained from the sales.
39
This completes a discussion of the taxing, borrowing, begging,
selling, and cheating mentioned by Gouge. Robbing will be dis-
cussed in another connection. According to Gouge the proposed
issuance of treasury notes was cheating, while the issuance of
letters of marque and reprisal was robbing.
With all of these efforts on the part of the Council, the treasury
in March, 1836, was exactly as it had been in November, 1835,
that is, empty. The only difference being that in March, 1836,
the debt of the state was considerably greater. A report by the
treasurer, March 1, 1836, stated that the actual money handled
by his office since November 28, 1835, had been $3,981.85.
40 The
report of the auditor to the Convention, March 14, 1836, indicated
the government debt as of March 10, 1836, to be $46,530.95; of
this amount $39,835.44 was due to military operations.
41
The Texans greatly feared an Indian uprising, and all were
convinced that campaigns against the Mexican forces would be
much more successful if soldiers and civilians could be convinced
that the Indians would remain at peace. Not only would it be
possible to raise a larger army, but all men mustered into service
could be used against the Mexican forces, and more easily bring
the war to a successful conclusion. This fact was recognized by
the Consultation when, November 13, the members of that body
signed a solemn decree to deal fairly and justly with the Cherokee
Indians and their twelve associate bands. This decree guaranteed
to the Indians peaceable enjoyment of their lands. All grants,
surveys, and locations of lands made within the bounds of terri-
tory claimed by the Indians, after settlement by the Indians, were
declared null and void. The delegates expressed a desire that the
Cherokees and their associate tribes should "remain our friends in
peace and war; and if they do so, we pledge the public faith for
the support of the foregoing declarations."
1
The organic law, as did the above-mentioned decree, made it a
duty of the governor and Council to treat with the Indians con-
cerning their land claims, and to gain their friendship if possible.
2
This matter was placed before the Council by the first message of
Governor Smith, who requested that it be given the attention
necessary for the restoration of friendship.
3
The Council devoted its first attention to needs of the army in
the field, and it was not until December 17, that the committee
on Indian affairs made its report. The committee suggested that
Sam Houston, John Forbes and John Cameron be appointed com-
missioners to treat with "the Cherokee Indians, and their twelve
associate bands," under instructions to be issued by the governor
and Council. It was proposed that any two of the commissioners
should have ample authority to conclude a treaty, and report it
to the Council for approval and ratification.
4 The report of the
committee was adopted, but the accompanying resolution was
ordered to lie on the table, and it was not until December 22 that
the resolution was formally adopted, and Governor Smith was
asked to issue the necessary commissions.
5
Resolutions instructing the commissioners were adopted Decem-
ber 26. They were to proceed to Nacogdoches and make a treaty
with the Indians. They were to be guided by the declaration of
the Consultation, to follow a course of justice and equity toward
the Indians, and at the same time to protect all honest claims of
white settlers. The commissioners were definitely ordered to pro-
vide in the treaty that the Indians were never to alienate their
lands to any party save the government of Texas, and in return
the government was to purchase their claims at any time in the
future at a fair and reasonable valuation. Governor Smith was
to give the commissioners such other instructions as he might
think necessary to preserve peace with the Indians, and, if pos-
sible, to obtain their services in the field against Mexican forces.
6
These acts were approved by the governor, but the commissions
and necessary instructions were not issued until several weeks
later. John Cameron found other duties to demand his attention,
and Houston and Forbes proceeded to treat with the Indians. On
February 23, they entered into a treaty in accordance with the
decree of the Consultation.
7 At this time the Council had been
inoperative for more than a month, while Robinson and Smith
each claimed executive authority. The commissioners reported
their treaty to Smith,
8 and it was presented by him to the Con-
vention. A committee of the Convention reported that the treaty
was as favorable as could be made under existing conditions, and
recommended that it be ratified.
9 The Convention did not follow
the advice of its committee, and the treaty was never ratified.
10
The committee on Indian affairs was again forced into action,
January 17, following receipt of a letter from Colonel J. C. Neill,
commandant at Béxar, concerning the Comanche Indians. The
committee proposed the appointment of five commissioners, who
were to proceed to Béxar and treat with the Comanches on the
most favorable terms in order to secure their friendship; they
were not, however, to sacrifice the interests of Texas, nor curtail
the rights of citizens of Texas. The treaty was not to become
binding until ratified by the government. The Council appointed
Edward Burleson, J. C. Neill, John W. Smith, Francisco Ruiz,
and Byrd Lockhart as commissioners, and instructed Governor
Robinson to issue the necessary orders.
11 This act was passed by
the Council on the last day that a quorum was present. The treaty,
apparently, was never negotiated, and certainly it was never ratified.
Luckily for the Texans, the Indians remained quiet during the
few weeks the war for independence was actually in progress.
The advisory committee, appointed to represent the Council,
gave little attention to Indians. However, on January 24, in
response to a letter from Hugh Love, the committee advised
Robinson that it would be wise to enlist Indians in the service
Of the state to protect the frontiers from hostile Indians and
raiding Mexicans. They were not, however, to be used in battles
against the Mexican army.
12 Robinson promptly wrote Love to
proceed to Nacogdoches and work among the Indians. He was
to do everything possible to keep them quiet and, if possible, get
them to help protect the frontier.
13 There is no indication in
the official records that Love attempted to carry out his mission,
although it is possible that he did work among the Indians.
Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College.
FOOTNOTES:
cal Science Quarterly, XIX, 634.
Ralph W. Steen.
How to cite:
Ralph W. Steen, "Analysis of the Work of the General Council, Provisional Government of Texas, 1835-1836 II", Volume 41, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v041/n3/contrib_DIVL4646.html
[Accessed Thu Dec 4 12:21:20 CST 2008]
