During the present interesting period in the affairs of Texas, it is very
evident that facility of communication between the different sections of the
country is all important; indeed it is always so, but at this time the best
interest of the cause of the people clearly requires, that there should be a
regular mail between this country and the United States frontier, by way of
Harrisburg, Liberty and Nacogdoches, as well for the purpose of
communication with the people of the latter places, as also for that of
informing our friends and brethren in the United States, of the interesting events
now passing in Texas—events which can not fail to enlist the moral and
physical aid of the free and magnanimous of all nations.
Mail routes to Velasco, Matagorda, Washington, Bastrop, Gonzales and
other places are equally important, and are also recommended to be
established as soon as the funds of the department will be sufficient to defray
the expenses.
Animated by these considerations of public good, the committee of
Vigilence of Austin recommend.
1st. The establishment of a provisional post Office department, and that
John Rice Jones, whose well known integrity and long experience as post
master in the United States, eminently qualifies him for such a station, be
placed at the head of it.
2nd. That a general subscription be opened and put in circulation
under the superintendance of said director, to raise funds to defray the
expenses of carrying weekly mails, Commencing with that to the Sabine
above mentioned, and extending it to other places as soon as the resources
of the department will permit.
3rd. That, in order, to insure system, and a correct administration of this
important department, the director be invested with full powers to make
provisional rules and regulations, and fix the rate of Postage on letters and
papers, that are not on public service; and to appoint such post masters
at the different places where they may be necessary. But such
appointments are always to be made in conformity with the recommendation of
the committee of Correspondence of said places.
4th. That it be the duty of said director to keep an exact account of all
the receipts and disbursements of the department and to make all contracts
for carrying the mail, and generally to superintend and direct everything
connected with the department—he being liable always to render an
account of his acts to the competent authority when one is established by the
people of Texas. It being understood that the private subscriptions are to
be refunded whenever the funds of the department will permit.
5th. That said director correspond with all the committees of safety of
Texas on this subject without delay; requesting their co-operation, and
transmitting to them, copies of this proceeding
Committee Room Oct 4th 1835