The following is the address, (by proclamation) of Colonel Bernardo, to the Republican volunteers at Nacogdoches.

It breaths that spirit of patriotism and liberality, which has always characterized its author; and guaranties to the REPUBLICAN HEROES, who have volunteered in the cause of the enslaved and oppressed Mexicans, that honorable reward worthy only such generous souls.

Fellow Soldiers and Volunteers in the Mexican cause.

I DESIRE you to receive from me the tribute of my private feelings, and also as the agent of my Mexican brethren, my warmest and most sincere thanks for the activity, zeal, promptitude and courage that you have shewn in the obedience of those orders which you have received from your officers, acting under my command; and I flatter myself with the idea, that the line of conduct which you have hitherto observed will be continued in, to the discomfiture of tyrants, to the emancipation of the Mexicans, and to the complete success of the enterprise you have undertaken, which will crown your exertions with glory, honor and fortune. The consolation of the justice of the cause which you support, of the fame and immortality which awaits your success, the idea that all the civilized nations of the world look on your actions with admiration and good will the reflection that the future happiness or misery, of a large portion of the habitable globe is now in your hands, will, I am certain, prompt you on, and shew your enemies and the enemies of liberty, in every part of the world, that the spark which lighted the flame of independence in the northern parts of America is not extinct in the bosoms of the descendants of those who fought, bled and prevailed over tyrants; and will at the same time establish beyond a possibility of doubt, your individual right to that liberty, for the attainment of which for others, you have volunteered your lives, your property, and sacrificed all your social connections.

You are now, Fellow Soldiers, in peaceable possession of one of the outposts established by European tyranny the more effectually to enslave the oppressed Mexicans. This possession has been obtained without bloodshed on your parts, from a consciousness in the minds of the cowardly instruments of tyranny, that they never can prevail in arms against the brave, free and independent citizens of the United States of America.

This pusillanimity of conduct in the engines of despotism has left in your power, in a weak and defenseless state, all the citizens of the post which you have gained - Your conduct to those citizens, has met with my entire approbation - It has done honor to yourselves, as men & as soldiers, and if continued, will be to you as a force more powerful than all the arms in the world - as it will conquer their minds and force them (should they ever feel a doubt) to declare that you are to them as friends, as brothers, and as protectors against those who have held them enthralled for ages past, in bondage the most ignominious. From the information which I have received from different quarters, I flatter myself that your stay, in this place, will not be long - that your numbers will increase to a sufficient extent and enable you to seek the tyrants in their strong holds, and force them to acknowledge this long enslaved country as a free, sovereign and independent government - When this event takes place (and the time is not far distant) you are to look for the reward of your toils, dangers, sufferings and difficulties, in the enjoyment of all the rights of honored citizens of the Mexican Republic, in the cultivation of those lands which, I pledge myself will be assigned to every individual among you, or in the pursuit of wealth and happiness in such way as your inclinations may point out to you. To those who desire it, the right of working or disposing of any mines of gold, silver or what nature soever, which you may find will be given - The right of taming and disposing of the wild horses and mules which roam unclaimed over an immense tract of country, within the limits of the Mexican Republic, will be common to all of you. The surplus of property confiscated, as belonging to those who are inimical to the Republican cause, after the expenses of the expedition are paid, will be divided amongst you - & those powerful and almost inestimable services which you will render, will further be rewarded from the public treasury of that government which you will have so materially aided in erecting.

(Signed)

Jose Bernardo Gutiérrez.

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Source: Filmed from the Holdings of the Beinecke Library, Yale University; Microfilm copy on file at the DRT Alamo Library, San Antonio, Texas.

[Spelling and punctuation corrected for clairity]