Act for Defense of the Texas Sea Coast, March 1836 - Page 1
Wheras [sic] that it is all important that our Sea coast should be garded [sic] and
Protected from any maritime Invasion therfor [sic] be it and it is hereby ordain[ed] that
Immediatt [sic] Steps should be Taken to fortify the Port of Galveston to Erect Such
fort or forts as may be deemed competent to secure that all important
Point.
Be it farther [sic] ordain[ed] that Captain __________ be appoint-
ted [sic] to Repair to and command at that point and allso [sic] Super Intende [sic] the
construction of such fort or Battery as may be deemed Suficient [sic] to
Command the pass and Serve the Port.
Be it farther [sic] ordain[ed] that Captain _______ be
authorized to Enlist a full company of Regular Soldiers which he
Shall command[.] [T]hey will Labour and work in the Building of for-
tification. But if Captain ______ should fail to Enlist
a full company of Regular Soldiers he will be authorized to Receive
the Services of volonters [sic] which shall be Intitled [sic] to the same pay
and Emolument of Regular Soldiers and Shall be Exempt of other
Public duties while Ingaged [sic] in that Service[.] [T]he Secretary of war
Shall detail the Subordinate officers for that Service and the Com-
mending [sic] officer will make all his Report to the Secretary of
War and be Subject in Every Respect to the head of that de-
partment.
Be it farther [sic] ordain[ed] that the Sum of ________
be and is hereby appropriated to defray the Expenses of Erecting
Arming and aprovisioning [sic] the fort or forts and the troops and allso [sic]
to furnish our National vessels with Every thing they may Require
to Refitt [sic] them.
Be it farther [sic] ordain[ed] that _____________ be
and is hereby appointed Contractor and Agent for this Government
in and for the port of Galveston to purchase and contract for Each
and Every Article necessary Such as arm[s] artillerys munition provision
Clothing etc. and furnish the Commanding
officer at Galveston all the provision munition arm[s] artilleries
Clothing etc. and all other necessary thing[s] etc.
to Carry into Effect and prompt Execution the In-
tention of this ordinance.
Act for Defense of the Texas Sea Coast, March 1836. Records of the Provisional Government, 1835-1836, Texas Secretary of State. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.