Executive Department


Austin April 27th 1865

My countrymen --

Disaster has


befallen our arms in Virginia.


Our chosen chieftan Robert


E. Lee, victorious on so many


glorious fields is a prisoner


of war and a portion of his


army has surrendered.

These


unforeseen calamities impose


additional responsibilities on the state


of Texas. My object now is


briefly to point you to the


path of duty, to exhort


you by all the considerations which


make life desirable or


existence tolerable to pursue


that path without falter-


ing or flinching.

Your


faith, your honor and


your manhood are pledged


to your brethren east of the


Mississippi. For four


years they have fought your


battles and stood, a wall


of fire, between you and


the invader. Their cause is


your cause. Their fate is


inseparably yours. They look


now with eager eyes and


anxious hearts to the people


and armies of this department


for rescue and deliverance.