[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   COL. WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS LETTER

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letter:


          Col. William Barrett Travis Letter February 24, 1836

       There are those in history that paid for our freedoms with 
     their lives. In 1836 Texas was fighting for its independence 
     from the dictator of Mexico, Santa Anna. A small band of 180 
     patriots from numerous nations and states, of several races, 
     stood defiant at the Alamo (in now San Antonio,) from Santa 
     Anna's enormous invading army. The leader of the Texian 
     patriots was a 27 year old lawyer from South Carolina by the 
     name of William Barrett Travis. Surrounded by the enemy, 
     Travis penned his famous letter seeking aid for the defense 
     of liberty. It was 180 years ago:
                                           Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
     Commandancy of The Alamo,
       To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World--Fellow 
     Citizens & compatriots--I am besieged, by a thousand or more 
     of the Mexicans under Santa Anna--I have sustained a 
     continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & 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, 
     & 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 & 
     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 & die like a soldier who never 
     forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country--
     Victory or Death.
                                           William Barrett Travis,
                                        Lt. Col. Comdt, The Alamo.

  Mr. Speaker, Col. Travis and his Texians all died defending our 
freedom at the Alamo. Sixty days later General Sam Houston and his 
Texians defeated Santa Anna in the marshy plains of San Jacinto, 
winning independence from Mexico, once and for all. Travis's letter is 
a remarkable and inspirational statement for freedom and the spirit of 
liberty. Col. Travis is one reason my oldest grandson is named 
``Barrett Houston.''
  And that is just the way it is.

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