[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I want to mention that today, March 2, 
is Texas Independence Day. I want to prolong a tradition that was 
started by my good friend and colleague, the late Senator John Tower, 
by reading the letter that Colonel William Barret Travis sent from the 
Alamo during the time that he was holding that fort. Yesterday, when I 
was debating with Senator Simon on his side for the balanced budget 
amendment, Senator Simon had said that one of the reasons there were so 
many heroes at the Alamo is because there was no back door. I wanted to 
set the record straight and say there really was a back door at the 
Alamo, and it was a voluntary line drawn in the sand by Colonel Travis.
  Colonel Travis said to the men at the Alamo that if they wanted to 
cross the line and fight for the independence of Texas, they could do 
it. If they did not, they could leave. One hundred eighty-four men 
walked across the line, or were carried on their stretchers, which was 
every man in the Alamo at the time. Those brave 184 men held the Alamo 
for 13 days. They allowed Sam Houston, the general who was assembling 
forces at the San Jacinto River, to have the time that he needed to do 
that in order to win the battle of San Jacinto and thereby win 
independence for Texas.
  So I want to read, in memory of today, March 2, Texas Independence 
Day, this letter written by Colonel Travis, who was the commandant of 
the Alamo.

       To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world--
     Fellow citizens and Compatriots--I am besieged by a thousand 
     or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a 
     continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not 
     lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, 
     otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the 
     fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, 
     and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall 
     never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name 
     of Liberty, of patriotism and everything dear to the American 
     character to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is 
     receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to 
     three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is 
     neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as 
     possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due 
     his own honor and that of his country. VICTORY or DEATH.
       P.S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in 
     sight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found 
     in deserted houses 80 to 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 
     or 30 head of Beeves.
                                                William B. Travis.
       The Alamo,
       2/24/1836.

  It was because of those brave 184 men defending the Alamo for 13 days 
against 6,000 troops that we were able to win the battle of San Jacinto 
and have the Texas independence that we all cherish, and Sam Houston 
became the first President of the Republic of Texas.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI addressed the Chair.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Alaska is 
recognized.

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