New Series Vol. 4. No.15
or BRITISH, COLONIAL, AND FOREIGN WEEKLY GAZETTE
Sat., Apr. 9. 1836
From page 7 following a copy of the Texas Declaration of Independance:
Assult of St. Antonio - Official.
The following is the official account of the engagement which took place in the town of Bejar; a short account of which we published a few days since.
"Fort of the Alamo, Bejar, Texas, Feb 25.
To Major General Samuel Houston,
Sir - On the 23d of February, the enemy in large force entered the city of Bejar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col.Batres, the Adj. Major of President Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discreation, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot. Upon which the enemy commenced a Bombardment from a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent expresses to Col Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Ganzales and San Philllpe. To-day,at 10 o'clock, AM some two, or three hundred crossed the river below, and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and cannister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms, which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 80 or a 100 yards from our batteries. The cation continued to rage for about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confucion, dragging off some of their dead or wounded.
"Resolved, That the States of Texas, having become severed from the confederation of Mexico by no act or fault of her own, and having driven by unequivocal acts of tyranny, which evidently aimed at her political annihilation, to defend herself by arms against the nation whose duty it was to protect her, has justly and righteously declared herself free, sovereign and independent, and that it is for the honour of a free and powerful nation like the United States, to be the first, to take her by the hand, and acknowledge her independence.
"Resolved, That the law which is paramount to all law, the great law of humanity, Justifies us in extending aid to the Texians, who are invaded by an army whose progress has hitherto been marked by atrocities unknown to civilized warfare, an army who wages a war of extermination, and whose savage chief swears to make her fertile soil a desert.
"Resolved, That a committee of sixteen be appointed, to solicit and receive donations, for the relief of the citizens of Texas, who are suffering from the ruthless warfare of Santa Anna, and that said committee be authorized to confer with the Commissioners and agents of Texas, as to the best method of afford�ing efficient aid to the people, and also to add to their number, and appoint Ward Committees, to act as a committee of correspond�ence, if deemed expedient."
The resolutions were seconded by a gentleman from Bunker's Hill, near Boston and William W. Campbell, Esq. in able and interesting speeches, and Col. J.W.Webb being loudly called for, addressed the meeting in a brief and appropriate speech. The resolutions were then unanimously adopted.
He was followed by Dr. Archer and Col. Austin, the other commissioners, who addressed the meeting it considerable length, and gave a history of the oppressions and tyrannies practiced upon the people of Texas, justified their efforts to establish their independence, compared their present struggle to the determined spirit of liberty that animated the fathers of our revolution to strike for liberty, and freemen's rights.
Willis Hall, Esq. being loudly called for, after a number of prefatory remarks, which were loudly applauded, offered the following resolutions:-
"Resolved, That the cause of Texas, is the cause of liberty; that her contest has been marked by all the features that char�acterise a brave people, struggling for their natural rights, and battling gloriously for freedom.
"Resolved, That we tender to the Texians our warm applause for the spirit with which they have resisted oppression; our admiration for the dauntless courage with which they have driven the tyrant from Ms strong holds; maintained the unequal fight against every advantage, Their spirit proves that they deserve to be free; Their courage, that they will be so.
"Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the Texians in their wrongs, in their sorrows over the graves of the heroes who have already fallen in their defence, -But let them be comforted, for such wrongs, such sufferings, and such blood, are the price of a nation's liberty.