[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3242]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMANDANCY OF THE ALAMO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 19, 1999, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 3 minutes.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise, as is tradition by members 
of the Texas delegation. Today is Texas Independence Day, and today I 
would like to follow in the tradition that has been done for years, to 
read a letter that was written from Colonel Travis, who was the 
commandant, who was the head of the Texans who were in the Alamo that 
was written on February 24, 1836, from Bexar in Texas.

       To all 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 proudly from the walls. I 
     shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the 
     name of liberty and 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 4 or 5 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 to his own honor and to that of his country--victory or 
     death.
       Signed, William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel Commander 
     of the Texans in the Alamo.
       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 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 
     or 30 head of cattle.

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